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Nigerian Broadcasting Commission’s license revocation ill-timed, ill-advised, in bad faith

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Nigerian Broadcasting Commission’s license revocation ill-timed, ill-advised, in bad faith

Nigerian Broadcasting Commission

 

Media Justice Nigeria (MJN) views with alarm the revocation of the licenses of 52 public and private radio and TV stations across the country by government’s regulatory agency, the Nigerian Broadcast Commission (NBC) on August 19, 2022. MJN views the sad and unfortunate development as ill-timed and ill-advised and in bad faith. While MJN is not happy that the stations are yet to meet up their statutory obligation of renewing their licenses that amount to N2.26 billion, we at MJN believe that the NBC should have devised other ways of addressing the situation rather than total revocation of licenses at a critical time like this. Not even the one week grace given is good enough.

While the NBC claimed that the license revocation action has no political motive, MJN sees the action differently. It is no news that open political campaigns will commence in less than two weeks, in September. Revoking radio and TV licenses when political campaigns are about to open is in bad faith. The action will consequently deny the stations avenues of making money from campaign advertorials that would have positioned them financially to pay whatever was being owed the NBC. MJN therefore believes the NBC’s action is needlessly punitive and should be rescinded at once.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The NBC should be reminded of the dire economic situation and unfavourable business operating environment the All Progressives Congress (APC) government that appointed the current board and management of the NBC plunged Nigerians since its inception over seven years ago. The attendant results of APC’s poor governance are massive job losses, all-time high inflation, high cost of business operations, high cost of fuel to power businesses and many other unfavourable indexes of poor governance that may have made it impossible for the stations to meet their payment obligations.

The NBC must not be seen as an extension of the Muhammadu Buhari administration that appointed its board and management that failed to create jobs for Nigerians but instead made millions who had jobs to be thrown into the labour market. The NBC should therefore be mindful of not denying hundreds of Nigerians who work in these stations the jobs that feed thousands of their dependants while carrying out its statutory duty. The NBC should also be humane in its duty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MJN therefore urges the NBC to rescind its license revocation action on these stations and reschedule the debts in such a manner that the stations are not unnecessarily shut down. The NBC should look at the high cost of owning a TV or radio license and review it downwards.

The NBC owes Nigerians the democratic duty of liberalising information that these stations stand for and not just behave as a revenue-generating agency of government. Nigerians cannot afford the information blackout that the NBC’s action will create especially at a time of high insecurity like these where citizens need timely information that can save lives and property.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed:
Director

Anote Ajeluorou

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Benue, Kwara Killings: Primate Ayodele Warned But They Never Listened

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Primate Ayodele Never Said Seyi Makinde Would Become President’’ – Media Aide Clarifies*

When Nigerians started celebrating after the United States launched an attack against terrorists in Nigeria on December 25, 2025, Primate Ayodele stood out when he said the nation shouldn’t celebrate yet because there would be reprisal attacks.

Many quickly lashed out at him, calling him all sort of names like prophet of doom, fake prophet, bet9ja prophet, to mention but a few. However, the prophet stood his ground and continued to warn President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his team that terrorists are planning to attack some Nigerian states.

His words after the US-led attack were:

“Nigerians shouldn’t celebrate yet, and President Tinubu shouldn’t celebrate either, because the powerlessness of his government is getting exposed, and America can come up with anything against him. This won’t stop kidnapping or insecurity in Nigeria.

“The government of Nigeria must work on it because the US cannot do it without the Nigerian government.

“Another bombing is coming up, and these bandits are ready for the consequences. They are also ready to counter-attack heavily; the government must get prepared for the outcome.”

Many didn’t know that Primate Ayodele isn’t a prophet that just speaks for attention sake, he speaks as directed by the most high God and that’s why he is always fearless in his approaches. Despite the fact that even the presidency celebrated it, he called their attention to some plans of terrorists across the country.

It’s been barely two months after the attack of the United States, and the country is back to more folds of insecurity across the country. Bandits have launched full-fledged attacks on the nation, killing several innocent souls without getting checked or arrested.

If only security operatives listens to Primate Ayodele’s warning, he vividly mentioned some of the states that bandits or terrorist would be visiting. He shared them in a prophet at least twice, including in video recordings but we wonder what these security operatives do with sensitive messages like this.

In one of the prophetic moment, he mentioned about eight states that will be attacked by terrorists if care isn’t taken.

“These states, Nasarawa, Abuja, Ondo, Kaduna, Sokoto, Benue, Katsina, Yobe, should be paid close attention to. They should deploy more soldiers to these states.”

Just yesterday in Benue, In Benue State, 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, were killed when gunmen attacked the Abande market in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area. Gunmen opened fire on traders and residents, killing many on the spot. Police spokesperson in Benue State, Udeme Edet confirmed the attack.

In Katsina, In Katsina State, at least 20 residents were killed when bandits stormed Doma community in Tafoki Ward, Faskari Local Government Area.

Witnesses said the attackers moved unhindered, shooting villagers and setting houses and vehicles ablaze before fleeing. Faskari Local Government Chairman Surajo Aliyu confirmed the incident, describing it as a deadly reprisal and the worst in recent months.

In Kwara too, Primate Ayodele had said earlier before now, just after the Eruku incident, that he still sees attacks in the state.

In fulfilment of this, bandits killed at least 10 villagers in Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area. The attackers, reportedly operating from the Borgu National Park forest in neighboring Niger State, invaded the communities around 6.00 pm, firing sporadically and setting houses ablaze.

Sincerely, all of these could have been avoided by they failed to listen.

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Former Pension Reform Task Team Chairman, Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, Hospitalised After Sudden Collapse in Abuja

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Former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team (PRTT), Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, on Tuesday evening slumped while attempting to access his office premises in Abuja and was immediately rushed to a private hospital for urgent medical care.

The incident occurred after complications arising from an untreated knee injury reportedly caused him to lose balance and fall on a staircase, resulting in a head impact that required immediate medical attention from personnel at the scene.

Confirming the development in an official statement, Emmanuel Umahi Ekwe, Esq., Media Assistant to Dr. Abdulrasheed Maina, speaking on behalf of his family, said the former pension reform chief was promptly stabilised and transferred to a private medical facility in the Federal Capital Territory, where he is currently under close supervision by a team of doctors.

According to the statement, preliminary medical evaluations indicate that Dr. Maina remains under observation, while specialists have advised that arrangements for a possible air ambulance evacuation may be considered should his condition require advanced or specialised treatment.

The situation has drawn concern from associates, professional colleagues, and well-wishers across the country, given Dr. Maina’s prominent role in Nigeria’s public sector and pension reform initiatives.

His family has appealed to the public for prayers, understanding, and respect for privacy during this critical period, assuring that further updates will be communicated as developments unfold.

 

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President Tinubu in Turkey: Guard of Honor and Strategic Agreements Signal New Era in Bilateral Relations

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By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, was accorded a full guard of honor during his official state visit to Turkey, a ceremonial reception reserved for world leaders and a strong signal of the respect Nigeria commands on the global stage.

The ceremony, held at the Turkish Presidential Complex in Ankara, featured military pageantry, national anthems, and formal protocol before high-level bilateral talks commenced.

The Presidency confirmed that President Tinubu briefly stumbled due to a camera cable while proceeding to the presidential lodge but stood up immediately and continued his engagements without interruption, stressing that the incident had no impact on the visit or his health.

More importantly, the visit delivered substantive diplomatic and economic outcomes. During talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on January 27, 2026, Nigeria and Turkey signed nine cooperation agreements and memoranda of understanding, covering military cooperation, higher education, diaspora policy, media and communication, halal accreditation, diplomatic training, and the establishment of a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

At a joint press conference, President Tinubu emphasized the need to deepen cooperation in security, trade, and economic development, while President Erdoğan reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Nigeria’s fight against terrorism and commitment to strengthening strategic ties.

With Turkey’s strengths in defense technology, intelligence, education, and industrial capacity, the agreements open new opportunities for technology transfer, security collaboration, trade expansion, and human capital development.

In essence, the Turkey visit stands as a diplomatic success, defined not by a fleeting moment, but by honor, respect, and concrete agreements that advance Nigeria’s security, economy, and international standing.

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