MCT appoints Ziada Kilobo as Head of Zanzibar Office
Ziada Kilobo, Institutional and Sustainability Specialist and head of MCT’s Zanzibar Office.
By Shifaa Hassan:
Zanzibar – The Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) has appointed Ziada Kilobo as the Institutional Sustainability Specialist, who will also serve as the head of MCT’s Zanzibar Office.
Ms. Kilobo brings over a decade of experience to her new role, having previously served as MCT’s Human Resources and Administrative Manager.
Ernest Sungura, the Executive Secretary of MCT, emphasized that the appointment aims to bolster and fortify the operations of MCT’s Zanzibar Office, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of the media landscape in the Isle.
“Ziada’s extensive experience across various facets of the Council, including fundraising and budgeting, positions her well to lead our efforts in Zanzibar. We aim not only to expand MCT’s activities on the island but also to manage a consulting unit as a non-traditional revenue stream, focused on promoting institutional sustainability,” Sungura explained.
Shifaa Hassan, Senior Programme Officer, will continue her responsibilities and report to the new Institutional Sustainability Specialist. She will also assume the crucial role of overseeing the Zanzibar office, a vital component in the ongoing efforts to elevate the media industry in the Isles.
Media stakeholders in Zanzibar have welcomed Ms. Kilobo’s appointment, viewing it as an opportunity for increased collaboration and expanded MCT activities in Zanzibar.
The former MCT Board Vice Chairperson and recipient of the 2014 Lifetime Achievement in Journalism Award (LAJA), Ms. Mariam Hamdani, noted her decade-long acquaintance with Kilobo. She emphasized that Kilobo’s wealth of experience in the Tanzanian media landscape would significantly enrich the media industry in Zanzibar and bolster MCT’s activities in the region.
Mwinyimvua Nzukwi, Secretary of the Zanzibar Press Club, emphasized the need for additional support to strengthen the activities of the MCT Zanzibar office and to continue advocating for media-friendly laws.
Ramadhan Makame, Director of the News Department at the Cooperation of Zanzibar Newspapers, expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Ms. Kilobo, citing their familiarity with her through various Council activities.
Husna Mohamed, a member of TAMWA-Zanzibar, highlighted Ms. Kilobo’s extensive experience in the media industry, particularly in gender-related issues. “Her presence in Zanzibar presents an opportunity to further enhance gender equity and equality in the local media landscape,” she added.
“Congratulations, my boss. May God guide you in the execution of your new responsibilities. Stakeholders have high hopes in your leadership; we are behind you to support you,”. Othman Makumbusho, Lecturer at A3 Institute of Professional Studies
Since its establishment in 2003, MCT has maintained a dedicated office in Zanzibar, reaffirming its commitment to promoting media freedom and upholding the highest professional standards and accountability.
The last manager of MCT’s Zanzibar office was appointed in 2015, with Senior Programme Officer Shifaa Hassan assuming the role since then.