The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has condemned the Governor Abiola Ajimobi led Oyo State Government over the demolition of the structure housing Fresh FM owned by popular musician, Yinka Ayefele.
The Director-General of NBC, Ishaq Midibbo-Kawu, who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin, said the demolition was a worrisome development and did not speak well of the state government.
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 the hint on 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.
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