Video professionals benefit as CEDAR Broadcast warehouse concludes training workshop
By Fred Iwenjora
Published: November 24, 2007
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Alfred Okoro is a young Nigerian charged by the belief that Nigeria should progress at far more speed than it is moving. And in his area of specialty, film and broadcast equipment and its ancillary issues, Okoro with his company CEDAR Broadcast Warehouse, Ltd recently facilitated a free 3- day exhibition and training on the latest broadcast technologies around the world which held at the Lagos Television Conference Hall. It also saw representatives from world leaders in broadcast equipment including JVC (for camera) and Sachtler for lighting who were around to deal with the issues of light. Also professional camera men and expert light people from across Nigeria were jammed in the hall to refresh their minds about a profession they love and know so well. Alfred gives reasons for the workshop while beneficiaries of the training express their gratitude because according to them, they benefitted immensely.

“First of all, I would let you know the theme of this workshop, Acquiring Modern Trends in Broadcasting. The number one reason why we organised the 3 days workshop which ends  Saturday (today) is my solid belief in core professionalism. I have been in contact with camera men in Nigeria and a lot of studio lighting guys. I strongly believe that most of them do not have the basic training. That is why we are partnering with JVC to give them the basics. We have made it possible for them to have the basics no matter the kind of camera one is using.

I am talking of basic camera techniques here. The camera concept is the same no matter what brand. It is my belief that if people in Nigeria get more professional, if they learn more about how to use the cameras more effectively, then Nigerians will make better pictures. With the current dynamics in broadcasting globally, it is essential that practitioners in Nigeria keep up with the trend

“I am one of those who have the privilege to have spent the better part of my adult life in the United states and I spent these years in the area of media.

“Aside from these reasons, we want to assist participants keep abreast with the latest broadcast technologies and  champion career development in broadcast production. We also wish to provide participants with practical exposures on effective handling of current world class broadcast equipment (cameras), expose the Nigerian broadcast/film industry to the potentials of the new broadcast technologies and create a profitable marketing environment for these equipment.

Finally, it is our intention to encourage professional/technical interaction among the participants on the ‘On a visit to Nigeria’. I couldn’t watch our television and movie. I was worried by the content and the quality of the final picture. I wondered that if I were part of those who have contributed to the growth of the U.S. media industry then why not. I then reasoned that the best way to do it here is to train the people because it is when people are trained, then they could move mountain with the equipment. They now have a reason to buy which ever brand of camera they wish.

“We at CEDAR represent over 17 companies in the broadcast industry. But what we try to do is take the companies and one product. Like for cameras, we represent JVC and for lights we are related with sachtler and for others like tripod, we relate with other established companies, on battery, we are close to Anton Bauer. We deal with quality. We are spending our time and money to train people because we believe in the next few years, when people want to talk quality broadcast equipment like camerans, lights.
    
Cedar broadcast warehouse has been  around for the past fourteen months and we are trying to really understand the society we live in and how it operates before venturing into broadcasting. As a broadcast warehouse somebody would love to ask whether we would love to establish a broadcast station. I say yes and no. We are still moving towards the actualisation of our dream.

But it would be steadily though you do not just have to buy equipment you also need skilled people to handle them so we are building on this. I can never hold back on high standard. I cannot return to Nigeria to do sub-standard things. I would rather return to the United States and do something else for myself.

“I describe myself as a young man who wants to be part of a better Nigeria. I feel lucky to be alive in this dispensation where President Yar’Adua is showing a lot of promise. I want to be part of the process in my own little way. I am not a politician but I feel that media is the future. If I can train camera men and lighting specialists, for TV stations, film making companies and all, then I would have contributed to humanity.”

On the part of the consultants who came for the workshop namely Eike Hoebbel of Sachtler and Kevin O’Mally of JVC, they feel so glad for the interaction with Nigerian professionals. According to O’Mally, “I am moved by the enthusiasm of the participants and thank the facilitator for this opportunity. I deal with cameras and I think the basic and best quality a camera man could have has to do with discipline as one must be disciplined to do the camera business so well.”

For Eike Hoebbel: “I have noticed a lot of interest on the part of the participants. All we are trying to impact is the theories and techniques and it has been very interesting. It is my first time in Nigeria and I owe it to Cedar Broadcast warehouse,” he says.


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