Oluwatosin Enesi
Today in Lagos, The National Broadcasting Commission held the second phase of the one-day Stakeholders Meeting with Hon. Commissioners of Information, and Chief Executives of Broadcast stations within the South West region.
The meeting which is taking place at Raddisson blu Hotel Ikeja, Lagos, is aimed to address and engage stakeholders on the need to stay up-to-date with payments and renewal of their license fees.
The Secretary to the Commission Dr. Igomu Onoja, in his opening remarks started by welcoming all stakeholders to the event and congratulated all newly appointed General Managers of broadcast stations and Hon. Commissioners of Information.
Dr. Igomu Onoja, reiterated the need to interface with our stakeholders as major decisions that can affect the industry are discussed in forums like this. He also stressed the need for broadcast stations to stay up-to-date in the payment of their license fees.
In his welcome address, The Director General, Mallam Illelah on behalf of the management and staff of the Commission, welcomed all guests to the stakeholders meeting. He also used the opportunity to congratulate newly appointed Commissioners of Information from the South-South, South-West and South East Geopolitical zones.
The Director General highlighted the purpose of convening the forum, which is to appeal to all licensees to liquidate these debts by September 9, 2023 to avoid a revocation of their License. He also stated that it is important to note that a broadcast station that has not paid it’s license fee is not permitted by law to be on air.
The NBC Boss also seized the opportunity to to call on the attention of the State Governments of the ailing state of most broadcast stations. He said, “Hon. Commissioners of Information, please impress it on your Governors to adequately equip and support the state broadcasting stations to enable them stay afloat and functional.”
In conclusion, he reiterated that any broadcast stations that fails to respond to this appeal, will be treated as an illegal station and will face the full extant of the Laws of the Federation.
Recall that the first phase of the meeting was held in Kano on Monday 7th August 2023
Our Reporter
