Laraba MUREY
The Christian Broadcasting Network, CBN, Africa has marked its 30th anniversary in a grand ceremony on Wednesday, celebrating three decades of broadcasting and humanitarian efforts across the continent.
The event, which took place in Abuja, included the unveiling of a commemorative logo and a series of planned activities aimed at highlighting the organization’s achievements while also calling for greater media freedom in Nigeria.
Speaking during a press conference, Regional Director of CBN Africa, Felix Oisamoje, outlined the organization’s achievements over the last 30 years.
He emphasized the importance of an independent media for the nation’s growth and urged the government to create a more supportive environment for journalists, free from the fear of censorship or retaliation.
“The government should provide an enabling environment for the media to practice without interference or fear. A free press is essential for a functioning democracy, and any form of intimidation or threats against journalists hampers the profession and the nation as a whole “, Oisamoje said.
He noted that CBN Africa, which was established in Nigeria in 1994, has consistently provided Christian programming, including The 700 Club, Superbook, and One Cubed Naija, reaching millions of homes across West Africa.
He also disclosed that very soon the organisation would embark on a road walk/ novelty match, telethon, orphanage visit, superbook hospital outreach, concert, stage play, thanksgiving, symposium and award night.
The Executive Director of CBN Africa’s Television channel, Flame TV, said despite the daunting challenges a lot had been achieved to revolutionalise the media space and philanthropism in Nigeria and beyond.
He explained that, “From humble beginnings in 1960 when our founder, Doctor Pat Robertson of blessed memory started this organisation from an acquired little run-down TV station in Portsmouth Virginia USA, to becoming a worldwide television ministry reaching approximately 200 countries with life-transforming programmes and humanitarian aid to poor and vulnerable people around the world, three things have characterised all CBN does: Love for God, love for His people and a desire to bring God glory.
“As the Ministry of CBN spread across the world, in the 1980s, CBN began sending its programmes to be broadcast on TV stations across Nigeria.
“The flagship show, The 700 Club,CBN World News and popular drama series “Another Life” kept viewers glued to their TV sets, some of you will remember those days.
“As the ministry grew, so did our desire to reach more homes and families with the love and hope that Jesus brings, as well as prepare the nations of the world for the return of the Lord Jesus.
“Soon, the need arose to have an office in Nigeria, and on September 12, 1994, under the leadership of Pastor Ina Omakwu of blessed memory,the Christian Broadcasting Network was registered in Nigeria as The 700 Club.”
According to him, “in the 3 decades that have passed so swiftly, Nigerians and Anglophone West Africa have enjoyed a wide bouquet of programming that caters to the whole family.
“From Superbook and Flying House designed for children but enjoyed by everyone, to One Cubed, and One Cubed Naija for the youths and music lovers; to programmes like our indigenous 700 Club Nigeria,Living the Life, Heart to Heart, “You Were There” and TPi (Formerly known as Turning Point International) designed for the older audience, every programme is carefully and prayerfully produced to bring lasting hope and positive impact to the viewers.”
He tasked the government to allow the media to operate independently.
“The government should provide an enabling environment for the media to practice their profession without hindrance.
“A situation where a TV journalist, a radio journalist or a newspaper journalist is afraid to report the truth because somebody is going to do something to them is not healthy to the practice of the journalism profession.
“Part of the problems we are suffering as media professionals is self censorship.
“Why are we suffering from self censorship? It is because people have done their jobs and they did it well and they got arrested for it and your family do not know where you are, meanwhile you are languishing somewhere.
“So, self censorship will begin to set in and make it difficult for us to practice our trade the way it should be done. So, if the government can allow the media to practice the trade properly, I am not saying to practice recklessly, and if they do, there are institutions set up by government to check it.
“The government should allow the institutions to do what they are supposed to do, and I believe that the practice of journalism will blossom and Nigeria will be better.”
Also, he identified insecurity as one of the snags hindering effective journalistic practices, adding that reporters find it difficult visiting certain areas for investigation because of the fear of the unknown,” he said.
