The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria and Optima Sports Management International on Friday in Abuja signed a 2014 FIFA World Cup Transmission Agreement, describing the event as “historic”.
The agreement was signed by BON Chairman, Abubakar Jijiwa, and the OSMI Group Managing Director, Rotimi Pedro, with representatives of some BON member-stations in attendance.
They included representatives from the Daar Communications Plc, which was represented by its Group Managing Director, Tony Akiotu, and the Head of Sports, Tunde Orebiyi.
The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria was also represented by Emeka Odikpo and Sina Abimbola, while Akinloye Oyebanji represented the Nigerian Television Authority.
The 2014 FIFA World Cup is scheduled for Brazil from June 12 to July 13.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles are one of the 32 teams which have qualified to participate, their fifth appearance since their debut in 1994 in the US.
While signing the agreement, Jijiwa said the ceremony was an historic event because the agreement was a milestone in the history of broadcast rights in the country.
He said: “This is a historic event because BON has a very good track record in the area of acquisition of media rights for important sports and cultural events.
“We have always done this on behalf of the teeming Nigerians who love sports and we have also tried to do what is best for the country Nigeria and its economy.
“Also, we have always put into consideration the need for service delivery.
“That is why we have tried to engage the relevant authorities so as to get the best for Nigeria, because we know that Nigerians are very active and robust supporters of football.
“Therefore, this is why we strived to work towards this event and are still working very, very hard to bring the matches to the homes of Nigerians.”
Jijiwa, who is also the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, said the organisation considered various options before opting for the model of collaborating with OSMI on the project.
He added: “Of course, this is not our first time with OSMI.
“They have a good track record, they are one of us and a truly Nigerian company that has stood the test of times.
“So, what we have tried is what we think is best for Nigeria because we need to run away from those foreign companies or foreign media rights owners who try to ride roughshod over us.
“We had a problem the last time out with the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations and we stood our ground then.
“Now, after several rounds of negotiations, we have secured an agreement to give all our members the rights to transmit all the matches and all associated properties.”
The BON Chairman said all of their members would however benefit by getting a share from the profits made from the marketing process which OSMI would embark upon.
He said this was a departure from earlier agreements whereby BON and its members had been made to finance the purchase of the transmission rights from FIFA and its marketing affiliates.
Jijiwa said: “We are not contributing now.
“Rather, OSMI will take care of that with FIFA and then get back to us.
“It is a win-win situation for all of us involved.
“OSMI will give us clean signals and we will feed this to our members and at the end of the day, they will still get between 15 per cent and 20 per cent more than what they got after the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.”
Speaking also, Pedro said his company sees the agreement as part of the trust Nigerian broadcasters have in them and a social responsibility to all Nigerians.
He said: “This is why we have always kept up the fight to ensure Nigerians and other Africans are not cheated in this area.
“We have always believed that premium content should be on free-to-air.
“But the faith the terrestrial broadcasters have in us has also helped us to achieve.
“This is why Nigeria had an average of 14 million viewers for each match of the 2010 World Cup.
“It was third worldwide, behind China and Brazil.
“So, in terms of audience delivery, we have it and FIFA too knows this and they are ready to give us our place.
“And, I believe we will surpass that figure this time around.”
Pedro said the viewing figures would be higher because expectations are high among Nigerians about Brazil 2014.
He said: “We (Nigeria) are going there as African champions.
“The last time we had that was in 1994, and many people will be looking forward to the Super Eagles doing great things.”
The BON member-stations will be transmitting live the competition’s 64 matches, with a few of them delayed as a result of schedule.
They would also have 25 match days of highlights, magazine events as well as pre-competition programmes.
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