The National Broadcasting Commission has condemned the demolition of the structure housing the Fresh FM in Ibadan by the Oyo State Government.
The Director-General of NBC, Ishaq Midibbo-Kawu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Ilorin said the demolition was a worrisome development and did not speak well of the state government.
The structure, “Music House,” reportedly valued at N800 million and which had been in operation for 10 years, was demolished in the early hours of Sunday.
The property is owned by a popular musician, Yinka Ayefele.
Kawu said: “The development is worrisome because for all it is worth, the broadcast outfits are playing a big role in reducing unemployment, especially in this situation where many young Nigerians are idle.
“They also play social, informational, educational and entertaining roles in the society.
“Such development does not speak well of the government and has a negative effect on the nation, especially at a point when more broadcasting outfits are influencing the social space in the country.
“In this case particularly, there are so many issues that can be weaved up negatively by people.
“We hope that as we move forward, we will be able to find a solution to the situation,” Modibbo-Kawu said.
The director-general said when the NBC got a hint of the demolition, he made some contacts with some people in the state.
Kawu said that he could, however, not stop it.
The NBC boss promised to set up a meeting with the state government on finding a way forward on the issue.
The NBC boss recalled a similar experience in Nasarawa State about a year ago when the property housing Breeze 99.9 FM was demolished.
“What we did was to meet our licensee to find out what the issues were because he was prepared to go to court.
“We also met with the state Commissioner for Information and the Governor.
“The issue also was that the building violated the usage of urban space.
We were able to reach an agreement that the government should give the broadcaster a new plot of land and assist him to go back to building a new station.
“However, just last week, I got a letter that the side of the government in the agreement had not been fulfilled,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) has condemned “in no uncertain terms” the demolition of Fresh FM105.9 by the Oyo State Government.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Mr John Momoh (OON), on Wednesday, BON said the station was pulled down and journalists thrown into the job market notwithstanding the fact that a case of alleged breach of the Oyo State Town Planning was before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“As an umbrella body of broadcast stations in the country, we find this action not only oppressive and high handed but a demonstration of flagrant muzzling of the media and press freedom which must be condemned by all civilized minds,” the statement read in part.
The partial demolition of the station, which is owned by music artiste Yinka Ayefele, on Sunday has been widely criticised.
The management of the station has also rejected the claim of the state government that the building contravened state laws.
In its reaction to the demolition, BON declared support for Mr Ayefele and called on the media in Nigeria and globally as well as all people of goodwill to condemn the action of the Oyo State government.
“BON stands with the Management and staff of Fresh FM and will support the proprietor of the station, Mr. Yinka Ayefele in demanding compensation from the State Government through any legitimate means necessary,” it said.
“The era of reckless assault on the media, especially by a democratically elected government is over and must be resisted wherever it rears its head.”
Read BON’s full statement below:
BROADCASTING ORGANISATIONS OF NIGERIA (BON) CONDEMNS THE DEMOLITION OF YINKA AYEFELE. RADIO STATION.
Abuja, 22nd August 2018
The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) condemns in no uncertain terms the demolition of Fresh FM105.9 by the government of Oyo State.
The station was pulled down and journalists thrown into the job market notwithstanding the fact that a case of alleged breach of the Oyo State Town Planning was before a court of competent jurisdiction.
As an umbrella body of broadcast stations in the country, we find this action not only oppressive and high handed but a demonstration of flagrant muzzling of the media and press freedom which must be condemned by all civilized minds. We ask the media in Nigeria, our international counterparts and all people of goodwill to stand and condemn the action of the government of Oyo State.
BON stands with the Management and staff of Fresh FM and will support the proprietor of the station, Mr. Yinka Ayefele, in demanding compensation from the State Government through any legitimate means necessary.
The era of reckless assault on the media, especially by a democratically elected government is over and must be resisted wherever it rears its head.
Mr. John Momoh (OON)
Chairman
Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON)
