Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday in Abuja inaugurated the multi-channel project of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).

The NTA-Star Network and the NTA Multi-Channels project is a collaborative effort between NTA and a Chinese company, China’s Star Telecommunications Group.

Jonathan congratulated the China’s Star Telecommunications for its clear demonstration of faith in the Nigerian economy, assuring other foreign investors of good returns for their money.

“I assure you that you have not only invested in Africa’s largest market, you have invested in an economy.

“Your return on investment is guaranteed, given the proactive investment-friendly economic policies which our administration has put in place to safeguard the interests of investors in the Nigerian economy.

“On a larger scale, this is further evidence of the fast-growing mutually beneficial trade and economic relations between Nigeria and China, which our two governments are vigorously pursuing,’’ he declared.

The president expressed optimism that with the new digital equipment, NTA would be effective and efficient.

“Enhanced transmission in terms of quality, content and reach will further drive the projection and showcasing of a positive image of our richly endowed nation to viewers at home and in the international community,’’ he said.

According to him, all efforts at national transformation will not have the desired impact if they are not supported by sustained positive and credible information dissemination.

He called on both the public and private sectors to avail NTA of all necessary support to enable it to successfully meet its mandate.

Jonathan also urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to nation-building, saying: “this is the only way we can assuredly leave Nigeria a better nation for our common posterity.’’

Earlier, the Minister of Information and Communications, Dora Akunyili, had said that the NTA-Star TV Network project was funded by the Authority with internally generated revenue.

“With this equipment on ground and others expected to be procured, NTA has what it takes to compete with any broadcasting outfit in the world,” she said.

She commended the board, management and staffers of NTA for their foresight in embarking on the project, “especially by executing them largely with internally generated revenue’’.

Hussaini Umar