Media talks get Sh7.5m boost
The Diamond Trust Bank managing director, Ms Nasim Devji, signs a Sh7.5 million sponsorship dummy cheque as Nation Media Group CEO Linus Gitahi looks on. The money will be used to organise the Pan African Media conference scheduled for Nairobi next month. Photo/HEZRON NJOROGE
The Nation Media Group will next month host a major media conference in Nairobi as part of celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary.
The Pan African Media conference, whose theme is Media and the African Promise, will present an opportunity for industry players and other key stakeholders to reflect on the media’s past, present and future prospects.
On Thursday, preparations for the event, expected to be held on March 18 and 19, engaged fresh gears with the release of Sh7.5 million from the lead sponsor, Diamond Trust Bank. The funds are a major boost to the event organisers, who are seeking at least Sh75 million to make it a success.
Announcing the sponsorship, DTB’s managing director Nasim Devji, said the move was a reflection of the bank’s commitment to the development of the region. “This is in line with our vision and mission, which is to enable people advance with confidence and success, make our customers prosper, our staff excel and create value for our stakeholders,” Ms Devji said at a news conference at a Nairobi hotel.
Welcoming the sponsorship, NMG’s chief executive officer Linus Gitahi said the event would be the perfect opportunity to reflect on the media’s future prospects in light of the changes of a dynamic and globalised environment. The forum, he added, would encourage lively discussions and “forward-thinking” contributions, which would lead to the development of robust African media policies.
“We are therefore calling on more sponsors to come forth and support this cause,” said Mr Gitahi, who is also the conference’s co-convener. The conference will be held in collaboration with the African Media Initiative, and will draw attendance from leading media professionals and academic scholars from around the globe.
Presidents
President Kibaki will officially open the meeting, expected to be attended by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, former Presidents Joachim Chissano (Mozambique), Thabo Mbeki (South Africa), John Kuffuor (Ghana) and Benjamin Mkapa (Tanzania).
Others include NMG founder H H The Aga Khan; Mr Jean Ping, chairperson of the Commission of the African Union; Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai; Dr Mo Ibrahim, founder Mo Ibrahim Foundation and UNEP’s executive director Achim Steiner.
