Chief VinMartin Obiora Ilo has stepped down with immediate effect as President and Chief Executive Officer of Signature Communications Limited, the owner of Signature Television, following his appointment as Chief Technical Adviser to the National Chairman of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The board of the company announced the resignation on 1st September, saying the move reflected its commitment to maintaining a clear separation between partisan political engagement and the management and editorial operations of the television station.
In a statement, the board said that given the political nature of Mr Ilo’s new assignment, he considered it appropriate to withdraw from the day-to-day management and editorial direction of Signature TV in order to avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest and to safeguard the professional and editorial independence of the broadcaster.
Mr Ilo remains a shareholder of Signature Communications Limited but will have no role in the running or editorial decision-making of the station while he holds the partisan political appointment.
The board has appointed Dr Ken Ike Okere, a veteran journalist, broadcaster and media executive, as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer.
Dr Okere brings more than two decades of experience spanning print, radio, television, digital media and corporate communications.
His previous roles include Director of Corporate Development and Communications at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN); Director of Radio Nigeria Lagos, where he oversaw Metro FM, Radio One and Bond FM; Zonal Director of Radio Nigeria South East; and Director of the National Broadcast Academy in Lagos.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a producer with Plateau Radio Television and as a journalist and editor in the United States.
He currently serves as Rector of the West Africa Broadcast & Media Academy (WABMA).
The board expressed confidence that Dr Okere’s experience in journalism, broadcasting, media management, digital media and professional training would ensure continuity and strong professional leadership during the transition.
Signature Television has reassured viewers, staff, advertisers, partners and other stakeholders that the leadership change will not affect its commitment to independent journalism.
As Nigeria moves towards the 2027 general elections, the station said it would continue to provide fair and professional coverage of political parties, candidates and matters of public interest, subject to its editorial policies and applicable broadcasting regulations.
The board thanked Mr Ilo for his service and wished him well in his new assignment, while calling on management and staff to give Dr Okere their full cooperation as the organisation entered its new phase of leadership
