By Stanley Edward -ABUJA
The past eight years of President Mohammadu Buhari has witnessed approval of 473 broadcast licenses.
The approval according to him is a testimonial that Mr. President yearns for media pluralism and freedom of expression.
The National Broadcast Broadcasting Commission, NBC consummated the approval on Friday when it issued provisional licenses to the 67 newly approved licensees in Abuja.
The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, while presenting the licenses to congratulated the recipients for the feat implored them to complement the gesture by promoting democratic values, national unity and cultural heritageHe also implored the licensees to complement the gesture by promoting democratic values, national unity and cultural heritage.
“It is a rare opportunity that many people would be willing to have. Now that you have gotten one, I must once again congratulate you and wish you successful operation.
“Today, the Commission presents provisional approvals to you”.
Recall that the NBC DG had announced last week that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved 67 additional licenses during a press conference here in Abuja.
A breakdown of the licenses approved by the President showed that he approved a total 210 licenses in 2018; 159 in 2021; 32 in 2022 ; 5 in 2022; 67 in 2023, bringing the total of licenses approved by the President to 473 in eight years.
This is in addition to the 740 functional broadcast stations in Nigeria currently in operation.
However, Ilelah said the number is expected to grow with the anticipatory approval of additional licenses by Mr. President soon.
For the NBC boss, the presidential approval is a testimonial that Mr. President yearns for media pluralism and freedom of expression.
He equally charged the licensees to reciprocate the gesture by putting the license into use within the timeframe provided and broadcast in accordance with the broadcast code and other sextant laws.
“You are also required to reciprocate the gesture by putting the license into use within the timeframe provided and act responsibly and in accordance with the Act, Code and other extant laws guiding broadcasting in Nigeria.
“Pay attention to safeguarding the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria through your broadcast.
“This is in addition to promoting and sustaining the Nigeria’s diverse culture by ensuring diversity in programming content for the Nigeria’s widest audience.
“Most importantly however is to promote Nigerian content and encourage the production and projection of Nigerian life, hence try to achieve 100% local content”.
He further used the opportunity to call on IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and all other broadcast stations that are streaming online to register with the Commission to avoid disconnection and prosecution.
“Broadcasters should note that, having a DTT or FM license does not warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licenses.
He further called on foreign broadcasters who have offices in Nigeria and they beam their signals into the country to come forth for registration with the Commission within 30 days.
” I must state that NBC is determined to collaborate with security agencies to clamp down on illegal broadcasters in the country.
“At this juncture I will like to remind our licensees that are yet to pay their outstanding debts to hurriedly pay or have their licences revoked for illegal broadcasting.
“Therefore, refusal to pay is an economic sabotage and the Commission will have no option than to collaborate with security and anti-corruption agencies to redeem the debts”.
He reminded broadcasters should note that part of the requirements for the commencement of test transmission henceforth is to send their staff for training at the newly established Nigeria Broadcast Institute.
End.
