Society of Nigerian Broadcasters Cautions NBC Against Shutting Down Campus Radio Stations in Nigeria
By: Olufemi Orunsola
Rising from its second National Conference at the Coronation Hall, Government House, Kano, the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) has cautioned the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), against shutting down campus radio stations in the country.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that the cautionary advisory was made by the professional society at the conference which was attended by both broadcasters, government representatives, a cross section of media stakeholders, as well as the Kano State Governor’s representative, who is the Director General Media Sanusi Bature.
Other top government functionaries in attendance at the conference, where concerns were raised about the implications of new waves of regulations by the broadcast industry regulator include: the Borno State Commissioner for Information, Prof. Tar, who represented the Bornu Governor, and the Bauchi State Commissioner for Information, who stood in for the Bauchi State Governor, along the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki.
Speaking at the conference, the National President of Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), Prof. Umar Pate expressed strong concerns over what he described as efforts by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to restrict or shut down campus radio stations.
Prof Pate warned that such actions pose a serious threat to the development of future media professionals, as campus stations serve as veritable training grounds for students of Mass Communication and other related courses offered in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
OTN News further reports that the SNB President appealed to the Federal Government to intervene in the case as a matter of utmost urgency in order to rescue these institutions from the pressures of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
Prof Pate further urged the broadcast industry regulator to review and approve more broadcast licences for universities and polytechnics in line with National Universities Commission (NUC) and National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) accreditation requirements.
In his own speech, the Chairman of the occasion, Ahmed Muhammad, commended the leadership of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) and the Kano State Government, noting that the conference, where new members were inducted into the society, stands as an important platform for building the capacity of younger broadcasters.
Similarly, while delivering a message by the Kano State Governor, Sanusi Bature stated that the governor remains media friendly and committed to partnering with Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB), especially to enhance quality news production and new media content.
In their separate remarks, the representatives of the Borno and Bauchi State Governors pledged continued support to the Society in its efforts geared towards maintaining the standard of broadcast journalism and professionalism among broacasters across the country.
For the records, the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters(SNB) is a platform and source of inspiration for both serving and retired broadcasters focused on its vision -To serve as advocacy body for the Broadcast industry in Nigeria.
It also has a clear cut mission -To lay down standards of knowledge, training and experience in the art, Science and techniques of broadcasting appropriate to the various grades of membership of the Society.
The idea and efforts to establish the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) is dated back in 1962 by late Ambassador Segun Olushola. By 1978, it was handed over to Mr. Yemi Farounbi now Ambassador Yemi Farounbi. The Society was duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission on 3rd of March, 1994 with Head Quarters at NTA, Victoria Island, Lagos.
OTN News recalls that Members of Society of Nigerian Broadcasters (SNB) on Thursday, August 15, 2024 elected Professor Umaru Pate as their pioneer president.
On the whole, the Society undertakes formal admission, certification and registration of persons seeking to become broadcasting practitioners in Nigeria.
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