By David Olalekan.
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), in response to widespread criticism of the planned radio station to reach Fulani herdsmen has assured that the station will only broadcast “purely educational” programmes with the purpose of enlightening herders, hunters, fishermen and farmers.
The NBC, in a statement yesterday, disclosed the objectives of the station and the duration of its license.
“The commission is 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 National Commission for Nomadic Education duly applied for broadcast license in furtherance of its objectives to develop and maintain nomadic education outreach programmes, including electronically mediated ones.
“The letter of provisional approval dated September 28, 2018, was issued to the National Commission for Nomadic Education. The duration of the license is from October 8, 2018 to October 8, 2023.
“Consequently, it is a misrepresentation for any person or organisation 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 NBC also cautioned all broadcasting stations to apply discretion in handling sensitive issues that could threaten the unity of the country. It further urged stations across the country to refer to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code at all times for guidance.