From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi has approved the release of funds for the renewal of the license of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation to the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission.
The Director General, State Broadcasting Corporation, Alhaji Ojo Oyila-Ozovehe stated this during the Corporation’s Management meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) had last week revoked the licenses of fifty-two Broadcasting stations across the country, including Radio Kogi, over failure to renew their licences amounting to Two billion, Six Hundred and Sixty million Naira.
The commission stated that the continued operation of the “debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security”.
In a swift reaction, Governor Bello approved the release of funds for the renewal of the licence to enable the station to continue its broadcasting activities.
Speaking on the efforts of the Governor towards ensuring adequate information dissemination, the DG noted that Gov. Bello had expressed readiness to give the station a new outlook and enhanced conducive working atmosphere.
He said the collective efforts of the staff will enhance effective productivity, urging them to unite, be focused and committed to duties.
Alhaji Ojo-Oyila promised to ensure all-inclusive discharge of his responsibilities irrespective of ethnicity and religious affiliations, and charged the staff to promote good neighbourliness as well as ensure togetherness in their working environment to enable them to achieve common goals.
Secretary of the Corporation, Sylvesta Atabor assured of the support of staff of the corporation, and urged the state government to consider the corporation especially in the areas of rehabilitation and operational vehicles.
In her remarks, Director of Administration, Mrs Ekundayo Abimbola enjoined staff of the station that are yet to pay for their promotion letter to do so, saying the payment will end on the twenty-fourth of this month.
The Director Programmes, Malam Omuya Salami congratulated the Director General for the extension of his tenure by the state government while advising the staff to contribute their quotas to productions in order to enable the corporation achieve its set objectives.
Commenting, the Chairpersons of NUJ and RATTAWU, Radio Kogi Chapters, Hajia Rabi Jibo and Isaac Duguma promised the commitment of their members to complement the efforts of the government to achieve set objectives.