OPINION
The television documentary "Window On Our World: NLRC", produced by Picture Post and aired on NTA International, on Saturday, 6th April, 2013, was a stimulating and informative production. For most Nigerians who knew close to nothing about lottery, it was an excursion into a whole new world of an industry that is just sprouting in Nigeria. Before this documentary, there had been a series of media coverage on the history and operations of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), all leading to the conclusion that lottery will be one of the alternatives to oil in terms of income generation in the country.
The NLRC, which was established by the Lottery Act of 2005, has the primary function of regulating and managing lottery operations in Nigeria as well the responsibility of ensuring the integrity and transparency of the business. The documentary featured the Commission's Director General, Chief Peter Igho, and many prominent Nigerians, including the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu; member House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri-Erewa; former Information Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili, Senators Clever Ikisikpo and Chris Anyanwu; Hon. Samson Osagie and other distinguished personalities who paid glowing tributes to Chief Igho, the creative television broadcaster who, as DG of the NLRC, has impacted tremendously on the development of the commission.
In many of the DG's earlier enlightenment campaigns, he made distinction between gambling and lottery. According to him, while gambling brings benefit mainly to the individual player, society also benefits in the case of lottery. In history and all over the world, Europe, the United States, Asia and Africa, lottery has been used for major developmental projects - infrastructure, social facilities, education, sports, etc. The DG has had the privilege of a personal experience from his visits to some of these countries, especially the Muslim states of Morocco and Niger, which have a successful history of lottery operations.
What came out of the documentary is a laudable record of institution-building. The NLRC was, until 2009, no more than an institution on paper. That was before Chief Peter Igho was appointed the DG of the Commission. Before coming to the Commission, Chief Igho had a very rich and successful career at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), from where he retired as Executive Director, Programmes. He is famous for producing the inimitable television series "Cock Crow At Dawn" and pioneering the first breakfast television in Nigeria with the creation of AM Express. He was, obviously, a man of great administrative acumen and consummate innovativeness.
On assumption of office, Peter Igho began the process of strategic planning and the creation of a vision for the Commission. He worked hard to get better funding and was relentless in his efforts to make critical decision makers in the country to recognize the value of lottery and he importance of the role of the Commission in tapping the great resources lurking in the lottery.
From only 2 rooms as offices at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, the commission today has 14 offices spread over all the six geo-political zones. The establishment of these offices has helped the Federal Government employment drive. From the staff strength of 11 in 2009, the Commission now has over 1,500 staff, mostly graduates and, of course, hundreds of middle and lower level staff. These positive developments helped to increase awareness of the role and importance of the Commission across the country. From near obscurity in 2009, Chief Igho has been able to increase the awareness of Nigerians and make them appreciate the value and potentials of lottery as a veritable tool for national development all over the world. The Commission has transformed significantly into a major revenue source for Nigeria. Lottery operators who had hitherto operated independently of government are now being made to register with the Commission and comply with the laws regulating lottery operations. I, personally, believe that millions of Nigerians today appreciate the wonderful work of Peter Igho and his team at the NLRC in sanitizing the lottery industry in Nigeria. In particular, their commitment has been total, not only in ensuring that those who play the lottery stand a good chance of winning prizes as advertised, but also that when their names are announced as winners, they actually receive the prizes announced. As the capacity for enforcement becomes fully developed, lottery will grow into a goldmine for the country.
Idowu wrote from Lagos.
Daily Trust
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