By Correspondent in Abuja.
The media space in Nigeria has been expanded, following the granting of provisional approval to 159 newly licensed companies, organisations and institutions of higher learning to operate radio and television stations in the country by the federal government.
Malam Balarabe Ilelah, Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), made the disclosure in Abuja on Monday, when he presented letters of provisional approval to the outfits concerned.
He further revealed that the number was part of least, 300 applications recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari, through the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture for approval.
The NBC boss thanked Buhari for granting the approval, permission and trust to the affected radio and television stations to operate and called on them not to be agents of destruction to Nigeria.
The director-general reminded them that the licencees granted them were based on trust, adding they were expected to exibit a very high sense of responsibility in the discharge of their duty by shuning flouting of NBC rules and regulations to avoid sanction.
He warned: “You must avoid sensational and fake news. It is one of the issues that we are fighting now in media houses in Nigeria. Do not be carried away by religious or ethnic sentiment.
“Do not be carried away by the desire to be the first to carry the news. Once you are being driven by that, you will always be on the wrong side.
“You must not allow your stations to be used as platforms to destroy Nigeria. You must use your license to build and not to destroy the nation.
“This license is not granted to jeopardise national security, but to promote national interest and foster unity in our diversity.”
Giving further statistics on the issue, Ilelah who said that 65 applications were pending with the President, assured that the commission would soon get them, “pending how and when they finish”, adding that seven applications were rejected for the reason known to the security.
Prof. Mohammed Yahaya, Founder, ENUMAN Community Radio, Bida, Niger, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues assured that they would justify the confidence that the presidency reposed in them by abiding by the broadcasting code.
Some members of the public in Abuja,who spoke on the developmnt,in separate interview with The Reporters, also commended the federal government for approval of the licenses.
“It shows that the present administration in the country has good intension toward the media.
“Apart from boosting communication, the establishment of the new radio and television stations means employment of many jobless Journalists and other media staff, there by reducing the high rate of unemployment in the country,” Mr Abraham Idah, a media enthusiast said.
According to him, the expansion of the media space in the country, by the coming of the new media outfits concerned, would go along way to boost communication necessary for meaningful developmnt in all sectors of the nation’s economy as well as enhance political developmnt.
