NBC celebrates 25 years

The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) celebrates 25 years of being a statutory body on July 1 this year.{{more}}

On July 1, 1986, a Bill was passed in Parliament to establish the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), with the purpose of developing broadcasting in the country, and the station has launched a series of activities to mark the occasion beginning May 2, and these activities are expected to run until the middle of November.

The anniversary celebrations are being held under the theme ‘Re-energized…NBC celebrates 25’.

Highlights of the activities include a fitness walk, retro dance and exhibition.

The activities will get underway on May 2 with a national wellness walk, and according to the station’s General Manager Corletha Ollivierre, there will be three starting points – Belmont, Calliaqua and Campden Park, with all walkers expected to end up at the compound of the station in Kingstown.

“We have emphasized wellness to embrace everybody,” Ollivierre said, adding that there are categories for individuals and groups.

The National Broadcasting Corporation is known for organizing renowned retro fetes, and on June 4 they will be at it again, this time with ‘Retro, Retro’.

The anniversary week will run from June 27th until July 1st, with quite a few activities planned for that week.

The week begins with a church service on June 26th and will feature former reporters and broadcasters who will share a shift with current employees.

Members of the general public will be able to get a glimpse of the past when the NBC will showcase items and photographs of the past.

According to Ollivierre, the technical staff have already begun putting together items for the exhibition.

There are a few activities scheduled for September, including the presentation of a documentary featuring past employees and the commencement of a quiz among primary schools beginning on the 16th .

This follows the mandate of forging links in the community through education, Ollivierre said, and will continue to partner with schools to feature the outstanding work of students and teachers.

“There is a lot of negative going on, but we want to highlight the positive,” Ollivierre said.

In November, NBC will be collaborating with the secondary schools for a choir competition.

“We already have the blessings of the Ministry of Education, and we will be working with the St Vincent and the Grenadines Music Association,” the GM explained.

She further contended that it was hoped that activities such as the primary schools quiz, choir competition and the fitness walk will become annual events.

Meanwhile, on the occasion of the anniversary, the station came in for high praises as it celebrated a milestone.

Maxwell Charles, Minister of Information, complimented the staff on reaching their silver anniversary.

“You have always led the way,” Charles said.

He noted that during the 1979 volcanic eruption, the station was the only one in existence in the country and disseminated information while everyone waited patiently in their homes.

“People have always felt a part of the station throughout the years,” he continued, adding that the station for years has been a household name.

He urged the staff to ensure that they maintain their commitment to nation building and that they continue to educate the people on the issues.

“In our nation today, there are many contentious issues, and I want to continue to urge the station to continue to educate people so that the issues can be clarified,” Charles said. (DD)