Skip to content

Calitown

News, Here, Everytime!

  • Home
  • News
    • Cross River News
  • Features
  • Community
  • Inspirational
  • Toggle search form
  • Judicial Commission Invites Memoranda On NDDC Project Disruption In Calabar Cross River News
  • “Ensure Harmony With Your Legislature” – Otu Charges C’River LG Chairmen Cross River News
  • “I Will Make APC Strong In Cross River” – Akpanke Cross River News
  • Still On The Matter Of Zoning The Position Of Vice Chancellor Of The University Of Calabar Cross River News
  • Tension In Ikom Community As Young Man Drowns In River Cross River News
  • C’River Senator Pays Former Nigeria President IBB Sallah Visit, Exchange Thoughts On National Issues News
  • “If We Want To See Nigerian Referees At FIFA Competitions, We Must Be Deliberate” – Ogabor Cross River News
  • The Appointment Of A VC For Unical Should Be Based On Merit, Not Ethnicity & Zoning Cross River News

EDITORIAL: Calabar Media City, N2.4 Billion And The Sealed Lips

Posted on January 5, 2015January 5, 2015 By Admin No Comments on EDITORIAL: Calabar Media City, N2.4 Billion And The Sealed Lips

editorial-logo2.4 Billion Naira is a lot of money by any standards. This is the exact amount of money the Cross River State government obtained from First Bank of Nigeria PLC as a loan in 2012 for the Calabar Media City Special Purpose Vehicle. While the Cross River State House of Assembly authorized government to obtain the loan to help set up an entertainment channel to serve Africa and generate much-needed income for the state, Mo Abudu’s Ebonylife TV with its ‘experience’ became the company chosen to handle the operation.

Now, State governor, Liyel Imoke stated in the days leading up to when the loan was to be obtained that the “Calabar Media City, through EbonyLife, has secured the patronage of Multi-Choice company. The total fees of N2 billion is expected from Multi–Choice in the first year of operation,”. This initiative further promised opportunities for Cross Riverians in events that will be created around the Calabar Film Academy, Calabar Film Festival, Calabar Music Festival and Calabar Festival Week projects.

By the third year of operation, we were informed, a whooping N3.8 billion would accrue to CRS, according to the business revenue plan, while by the seventh year, N33.3 billion will be what the state shows as total income earned from this venture. The obligator in this transaction is the Calabar Media City with a tenor of 48 months and a 16 per cent interest rate. Other fees within the transaction are charged at a total 1 per cent flat.

A Media City should ideally offer “media companies and independent media professionals a pro-business environment which enables them to operate with collective synergy and freedom while enjoying free zone benefits including 100 per cent business ownership and tax-free income as well as value added services such as networking opportunities, venue management services, industry building programmes and government services”. Perhaps we need to state that the MediaCity in Manchester, UK and the Dubai Media City, two of the world’s most notable Media Cities, meet the criteria quoted above and are functional just like their infrastructure is visible.

Now we ask, where is the Calabar Media City situated? It is necessary to ask this question because too many “executed projects” that form the crux of written speeches all too soon become something put together in the court of Alladin and his magic lamp. If we can indeed be pointed to the Calabar Media City, does it have thriving businesses in Advertising and Communication, Media and Marketing Services, Media Support Services, Event Management, Event Support Services, Media Consultancy, New Media, Freelancers and Associations (Non Profit), complemented by an exciting mix of retail, leisure and entertainment experiences?

Let the truth be told; VERY LITTLE happens at the Ebonylife TV studio in Tinapa…the main plugs, switches and cables are in Lagos. Those who had banked on having some form of experience at the Ebonylife TV Tinapa facility, especially our youth corps members have only found cobwebs where cables should be running. We are indeed worried because if a state as poor as CRS can go ahead and take a N2.4 billion facility in 2012, turn around and hand it over to one private company which then takes flight to Lagos, there’s definitely more to it than meet the eye. We make bold to say that it is fraudulent for such a government to ignore the development and encouragement of indigenous media, opting instead for supporting an idea that transmits only a very negligible aspect of CR news, views and features.

Those who are keeping sealed lips about this phantom Media City cannot do it for so long because as we have begun asking questions, more and more Cross Riverians will insist that this information be let out. The pilfering of huge funds by government officials under whichever guise is a burden the poor suffering Cross Riverian must not continue to bear.

Share this post:

Share on X (Twitter) Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Email Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram
Editorial, Editorials Tags:Calabar Media City

Post navigation

Previous Post: As Good As A-R-S-E-N-A-L!
Next Post: Crisis Brews In CR Labour Party

Related Posts

  • EDITORIAL: Before Ayade Ceases To Be Governor Editorial
  • RE: Jedy Congratulates Ayade: We Are Indeed Right! Editorial
  • EDITORIAL: Nigeria, AFCON And The No Show Cross River News
  • Medical Doctor Bags Seven Years Imprisonment for N127m Fraud in Calabar Cross River News
  • As Governor Ayade Joins the Pantheon Editorial
  • EDITORIAL: Before Ayade ‘Ceases’ To Be Governor Cross River News

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Comments

  • Prevailing Truth on Still On The Matter Of Zoning The Position Of Vice Chancellor Of The University Of Calabar
  • Michael Eyong on The Appointment Of A VC For Unical Should Be Based On Merit, Not Ethnicity & Zoning
  • Samuel on The Appointment Of A VC For Unical Should Be Based On Merit, Not Ethnicity & Zoning
  • #Dr EWORO EMENG on “The People In Govt, Cannot Even Get The Taps To Run In Cross River After Two Years” – CR PDP Chieftain!

ADVERT: Click to Watch!

https://calitown.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/VID-20170928-WA0003.mp4
  • Catholic Diocese Of Ogoja Blacklists Two Priests, Warns Church Faithful Cross River News
  • House Of Reps Member Begins Needs Assessment Tour Cross River News
  • CRSG Rewards Stranded Former National Athlete, Offer Lifeline Cross River News
  • False Promises & Hidden Agendas: The Fraud Behind The Bakassi Deep Seaport Features
  • NACA Honours Cross Riverian With Outstanding Resource Person Award Cross River News
  • Otu Intercedes, Fees For Chairmanship & Councillorship Aspirants In LG Elections Reviewed Cross River News
  • Esther Bassey, Calabar South Chair Is Dead! Breaking News
  • Police Nab Suspected Kidnappers of Two School Proprietors Cross River News

CALITOWN
...News, Here, Everytime

Quick Menu

  • Home
  • News
    • Cross River News
  • Features
  • Community
  • Inspirational

Copyright © 2021 calitown
172 Greenwood Avenue , Hull. East Yorkshire. HU6 9NY

Powered by PressBook News WordPress theme