News
NBC in last one year: Idahaba’s ‘no dull moment’ in office [Article]
Just like yesterday, it has being one eventful year after assumption of office by the Ag Director General, National Braodcasting Commission NBC, Professor Aduku Augustine Armstrong Idachaba.
There have been dramatic change that one could pointedly say, the Acting Director General, National Broadcasting Corporation has had ‘no dull moment’ refocusing the government media regulatory agency for a sanitised environment where every one’s social, political and cultural affinity is respected.
Today, ethics and codes of broadcast journalism is respected and any infraction is met with sanction because a new Sheriff is enthroned.
Professor Idachaba who rose through the cadre of the NBC, joined the organisation in 1994, held several positions of authority in the organisation in the last 27 years.
His appointment as Ag Director General National Broadcasting Commission NBC,was purely on merit as the most senior Director in the organization when the onus of leadership fell on him.
As an insider, his appointment was greeted with alot of pomp and peageantry as well as high expectations, as the challenge of leadership was simplified, from his wisdom and management acumen, that brought on board de-spirited staffers of the organization back to seamless synergy, to move the Broadcast organisation to high pedestal of perfomance in the spirit of new leadership.
Professor Idachaba hit the ground running, as he convened stakeholders’ meeting to chart a new course for the advancement of National Broadcasting Commission NBC, in line with the expectations of government and the general public.
With anxiousness and all seriousness it deserved, the Professor of Mass Communication and Dramatic Arts left no stone unturned that immediately restored and redeemed the image of Nigeria both within and the international communities, deployed strictly the acceptable and standard broadcast code/norms on the broadcast stations, that was hitherto a subject of constant breach by many broadcast organisations.
Professor Idachaba hurriedly restored sanity in the broadcast industry as he frowned against unsubstantiated news, fake news, inciting news, hate speech, blackmail and other anti broadcast code insinuations, against the constituted authorities that had portrayed the image of the country negatively and in bad light.
He controlled to the barest minimum politically motivated statements being broadcast by both Radio and Television stations not in tandem with the laid down procedures of the NBC, as the chief reguator of their activities.
This development brought sanity to broadcast industry, attracted more investments and investors into the country, with their investments not proned to misinformation.
The new Ag Director General also improved the revenue base of the organisation and for the first time in the history of the NBC, he made the organisation a self sustainined agency in terms of finances and fundings, a feat that was commended by the federal lawmakers after a careful study and delisted from 2020 yearly appropriations, aftermath a marvelous perfomance on the way its revenue was handled.
The vote of confidence passed on the current leadership of the Commission by the National Assembly, the legislative arm of government charged with scrutiny of finances or goverrment was a unique achievement, rare in recent times.
Professor Idachaba who made transparency and accountability as one of his cardinal objectives did not negate his set goals, as workers are being motivated for optimum perfomance with new offices opened both at the state, zonal levels in the country.
The Havard trained Professor refused to concede professional practices at the altar of sensationalism and against national interest, as he insisted that the broadcast code is the ‘Holy Book’ of broadcast stations in Nigeria, and its provision must be strictly followed as outlined by the chief regulator, the NBC.
Hence the decision of NBC that reprimanded some broadcast organisations that deliberately breached the practice code, aftermath of Endsars protests was a welcome decision, a development many Nigerians agreed was a right decision at that particular point in time.
This decision was also applicable to broadcast stations that misinformed the general public, through advertisement of the availability of orthodox and unorthodox drugs/cure for the newly discovered COVID-19 pandemic, that had ravaged the entire world to a standstill, with Nigeria not an exception.
The positive development through deployment of the broadcast regulatory code had brought total sanity to the broadcast industry, as many stations in Nigeria due to quaterly assessment rejigged by the new Commission, had imbued the culture of fair practice in the course of broadcasting in Nigeria.
The climax of the present management achievements was the approval of over 9 billion naira by the federal government for the Digital Switch Over DSO of the activities of NBC, from analogue to Digital, under the present dispensation.
This major achievement that almost eluded the country under the former dispensation in NBC with an instruction to countries to switch over not later that 2020, granted a concession to Nigeria to key in the next few years by the ITU, from the determination of the current management.
The concession was borne out of the willingness and determination of the NBC to key into the specified time, after offices were already opened in Kano, Enugu and Jos for off,spread to Lagos , Port-Harcourt,Enugu in the new order.
This is in addition to many requests by individuals, companies and group that daily sought for broadcast liencenses to either operate a new Radio stations and Television in Nigeria,going by the lucrative and conducive nature of their operations under the current Management.
The University Don in the last one year used the NBC to foster social integration, national unity, economic viability and technological breakthrough in Nigeria.
As it will be expected in the coming years, more breakthroughs, through a well thought out leadership inertia that is prepared to deliver on the mandate of NBC.
Abubakar Yusuf writes from Abuja
Member representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and Minority Leader of the House, Honourable Kingsley Chinda said, the Tax Reform Bills would serve the interest of citizens of Nigeria.
He spoke in defence of the passage of the recent tax reform bill, describing it as a product of diligent legislative work aimed at serving Nigerians’ interests.
Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Hon. Chinda emphasized that effective opposition does not require public confrontations but strategic engagement. He noted that the tax reform bill, initially flawed, was subjected to thorough scrutiny and stakeholder consultations before passage.
“We saw that the bill was not good enough for Nigerians, so we pushed for reforms,” Chinda stated. “We engaged the National Assembly leadership, consulted governors, state parliaments, and civil society groups to ensure the final version better served the people.”
While acknowledging that no law is perfect, he maintained that the revised bill represents significant progress, balancing public interest and economic needs.
On the PDP’s internal crisis, Chinda expressed disappointment over conflicting interpretations of the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming Senator Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s national secretary. He dismissed claims by some members still recognizing Chief Ndubuisi Okoye, describing such actions as misleading.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling was clear—Anyanwu was never lawfully removed and remains our national secretary,” Chinda said. He criticized the party’s National Organizing Secretary for causing confusion and urged members to seek clarification from the Peoples Democratic Party’s legal adviser instead of spreading misinformation.
Chinda, who is a leading opposition voice in the House, called for unity, cautioning against public disputes that damage the party’s image. “We must avoid washing our dirty linen in public. The judgment is final, and we should focus on strengthening the party ahead of future elections,” he advised.
Despite the Peoples Democratic Party’s challenges, Chinda expressed optimism about the party’s resurgence after its upcoming congresses and national convention. He urged members to prioritize Nigeria’s interests over personal ambitions, emphasizing that internal disagreements would not diminish the PDP’s role as a viable opposition.
On concerns about Nigeria drifting toward a one-party system, Chinda dismissed fears, stating that the PDP’s revival depends on strategic repositioning rather than the ruling All Progressives Congress’ actions. “We must go back to the drawing board, put the country first, and rebuild,” he concluded.
The Minority Leader’s remarks underscored his commitment to legislative diligence and party discipline, even as the PDP navigates its current turbulence.
HaAN OPEN LETTER TO ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR: THE CASE OF GOING TO EQUITY WITHOUT CLEAN HANDS
My attention as a Public Affairs Commentator and Citizen of Wukari in Taraba State has been invited to various invectives of unprecedented dimension directed at His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON by my brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ostensibly to give oxygen to resurrect his endless political odyssey and sordid presidential ambition. I am weighing into this public narrative to interrogate various disruptions triggered by some notable politicians like Atiku Abubakar in our national life.
It is hardly possible to build anything out of frustration and bitterness. This is sadly the predicament of a one-time Vice President, Atiku Abubakar who is on course to being enlisted in the Guinness Book of Records, as the only person globally, who has unsuccessfully contested for President for six times spanning 33 years.
These bitterness and frustration have beclouded his reasoning. Atiku Abubakar, who is shamefully a dominant mention in every page of the corruption history in Nigeria, an insipid and serial sodomist, could have rather used the Ramadan period to seek for the atonement of his many mortal and monumental sins from the Almighty Allah, but his engagement in chicanery and unbridled umbrage in the most malicious and defamatory manner is the sad characterization of a man reputed for low family values and child abuse.
The series of pernicious lies peddled by Atiku deserve response in this era of positive and innovative Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which has invited collective actions for the growth and prosperity of Nigeria. Atiku Abubakar’s putrid and repulsive corrupt practices have made Nigerians to reject him for a record six times. A master of failure indeed!
It is an established fact that Atiku Abubakar is the most corrupt Nigerian, having been associated with every high-profile corruption allegation in the country across the private and public sectors. In 1996, the then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha seized control of the NICOTES shares belonging to him and renamed it Integrated Logistics Services Inc.
In 2006, Atiku was indicted by the EFCC and the Federal Government Administrative Panel of Inquiry after a Special Audit /Forensic Investigation of PTDF from 1999 to May 31, 2006.
Internationally, he is known as a super conman. Atiku’s association with American Congressman William Jefferson, who was jailed for 13 years in 2009 over bribery and other charges is well known to millions of Nigerians.
For those who don’t know, Atiku was the subject of a probe about 15 years ago by the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs chaired by Senator Carl Levin. He was indicted for using offshore companies to siphon about 40 million dollars from Nigeria between 2000 and 2008 to his fourth wife in the United States, Jennifer Iwenjiora Douglas Abubakar (now divorced).
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, whom Atiku served for 8 years as Vice President, in his book ’MY WATCH’, in the chapter, titled “Atiku and US Justice Entanglement”, gave a vivid account of “corrupt involvement” of Atiku with a company called iGATE and William Jefferson. Obasanjo equally linked Atiku to the embezzlement of $20 million, funds that were to be utilized by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), and another $125 million to fund PTDF during 2003 fiscal year.
The immediate past governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has also spoken eloquently about Atiku’s corrupt adventure. In his book, ’The Accidental Public Servant’, El-Rufai gave a detailed account of Atiku’s corrupt involvement in Ericsson’s deals, the PTDF scandal, Abuja Water Treatment Plant contract and his obsession with marabouts – these marabouts that have been deceiving him since 1991 that he will be president.
A serial women abuser, Atiku has divorced two of his wives since 1971 (Ladi and Jennifer). In the case of Jennifer, even after the divorce, he threatened and bullied her out of Nigeria. Jennifer had to sell her law chambers in Nigeria and relocated to the UK.
He has been after the woman in an attempt to dispossess her of her assets and properties.
A certified child abuser, Atiku’s exploits with hapless boys and young men are well known. No wonder, in his eight years as vice president and many years as wealthy man (though filthy), Atiku could not boast of a school that could cater for the educational needs of the less privileged, especially boys (Almajiri’s), but now runs the exotic ABTI University and a host of other businesses that are out of the reach of the common man.
In the contrary, unlike Atiku Abubakar, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON has for over two decades, conducted himself with integrity and transparency. His accomplishments in Akwa Ibom State, in particular, and Nigeria in general, are symbolized in the countless legacies of infrastructure, human capacity development and tourists’ hub.
Just yesterday (Tuesday), the Super Eagles of Nigeria hosted The Warriors of Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifier at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo. The stadium, which is the only FIFA approved facility in Nigeria, was built by Akpabio as governor of the state. What did Atiku do for Adamawa state and Nigeria?
The Zimbabwean delegation also flew Ibom Air and landed at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo- all legacies of the Uncommon Transformer. But where are Atiku’s legacies for the people? He can only lay claim to a chain of businesses, which are products of pillaging and corrupt investments.
In all of these, it is crystal clear that Akpabio’s unflinching support for President Tinubu, who blocked Atiku’s emergence as the presidential candidate of the APC in 2015 and frustrated his return bid in 2019 and yet floored him in the 2023 general elections is the reason for Atiku’s hostile charge against the Senate President.
But using Akpabio as a ladder to get to the president cannot do Atiku any good. Both Tinubu and Akpabio are united by the resolve to rejig and reset the nation and give Nigerians dividends of democracy, which Atiku as vice president worked tirelessly to undermine for personal aggrandizement.
It is also axiomatic that Atiku has started preparation for the 2027 general elections. As for Akpabio and Tinubu, they are preoccupied with state and governance issues and would not swim with the former vice president in his quest to distract the duo from delivering good governance to Nigerians. When 2027 comes, Nigerians will, for the umpteenth time give, Atiku a black eye and vote the best candidate.
DANJUMA ISAIAH writes from
Wukari in Taraba State
The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubaka mini visited the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Umar Dikko Umaru Radda, at the Government House in Katsina to express condolences following the passing of his beloved mother, Hajiya Safara’u Umar Bare-Bari Radda.
During the visit, Minister Abubakar, on behalf of himself, his family, the Minister of State for Defence H.E. Dr. Bello Matawalle MON and the entire staff of the Ministry of Defence, conveyed heartfelt condolences to Governor Radda, his family, and the people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
In his remarks, he prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased, grant her mercy, and bestow upon her a place in Jannatul Firdaus. He also offered prayers for the Governor and his family, asking for strength and fortitude to bear this profound loss.
The Minister was accompanied by Hon. Idris Garba Jahun, former Speaker of the Jigawa State House of Assembly, along with Hon. Abubakar Sadiq Jallo and Hon. Mas’ud A. Naruwa, members of the Katsina State House of Assembly representing Hadejia and Babura, respectively.
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