As Nigeria prepares for the general election in 2019, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Africa has launched new television and radio programmes across its partner TV stations in Nigeria.
In a statement, published on the BBC Media Centre, it said the programmes would feature across its 12 language services, including the Nigeria based BBC News services in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin.
“As Nigeria prepares to hold elections on February 16, BBC Africa will be offering comprehensive coverage for our local and international audiences across radio, TV, online and social media.
“During the campaign period, there will be special programming across all BBC Africa’s 12 language services including English and French as well as Nigeria based BBC News Yoruba, BBC News Hausa, BBC News Igbo, and BBC News Pidgin,” the statement said.
The BBC’s Head of West Africa Languages, Oluwatoyosi Ogunseye, said the coverage will feature interviews from politicians, commentators, and viewpoints from voters on the ground.
“We are prepared to deliver memorable coverage of what is set to be the most competitive election in Nigeria and even across Africa.
“Our audiences across the continent and around the world can now keep up to date with the action in 12 languages, including English, Hausa and the newly launched Igbo, Pidgin and Yoruba languages.
“We will bring key interviews from politicians, commentators, and viewpoints from voters on the ground. From every state, whatever the issue, BBC Africa will be there,” she added.
BBC Africa said it will be sending over 50 reporters to cover the elections.
The TV show programmes would include #TheSheWord, a discussion programme for women in politics, Fact Finder, a fact-checking programme to counter claims during the election periods, and TheGist, a partnership programme with Channels TV. (Premium Times)
