The National Broadcasting Commission has said publicly that it did not issue radio license for any tribal or ethnic interest but for nomadic education
In a statement released by the management of NBC said the National Commission for Nomadic Education suitably applied for Broadcast license in furtherance of its objectives to widen and maintain nomadic education outreach programmes, including electronically mediated ones.
Reacting to the media controversy over the license granted to the National Commission for Nomadic Education for the establishment of a radio station to operate on the AM band. The Commission said
The statement from NBC reads, ‘‘The National Commission for Nomadic Education duly applied for Broadcast license in furtherance of its objectives to develop and maintain nomadic education outreach programmes.
‘‘The letter of provisional approval dated September 28th, 2018, was issued to the National Commission for Nomadic Education. The duration of the license is from October 8th, 2018 to October 8th, 2023.
The Commission said it is a misrepresentation for any person, or organization to imply that the licensed station was just for a particular group.
‘‘The Commission wishes to state that similar educational broadcast licences were issued to institutions of higher learning and other Governmental institutions with comparable needs, such as the Armed Forces of Nigeria, The Federal Road safety Commission, and related institutions.’’
The Commission, reminding all broadcasters to be mindful of their social responsibility to promote the well-being and peaceful co-existence of the various groups in Nigeria in keeping with the objectives of broadcasting in Nigeria.
‘‘Specifically, ‘‘While upholding professionalism and observing global best practices, stations are further advised to treat potentially divisive issues with tact and sensitivity.
it further explained ‘‘The Commission therefore reiterates that broadcast organizations are expected to exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or sectional rights, privileges and needs of their own or of their proprietors, relatives, rights or supporters as highlighted in the Nigeria Broadcasting Code,’’
‘‘The station’s programmes, which shall be purely educational, are designed to cater for the interest of migrant fishermen, herders, hunters, farmers, and migrants.’’
The Commission advice all broadcasting stations in Nigeria to take special note of the following provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which emphasize peace and national integration.
