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Nigerians React As FG Revokes Silverbird, AIT, Others’ Licences

Nigerians React As FG Revokes Silverbird, AIT, Others’ Licences

Nigerians have reacted to the revocation of the broadcast licences of some media stations by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) over their failure to renew broadcast licences.

Naija News earlier reported that the Director General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, announced the development in a statement on Friday.

He also directed NBC state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of the operation of these stations within the next 24 hours.

Shehu stated that the licenses of about 52 television and radio stations were suspended over failure to pay federal licensing charges to the tune of N2.6 billion.

According to the NBC DG, the suspended stations were warned for several months to pay licensing costs for their operations but failed to comply.

Some of the media stations affected are Classic FM, Splash FM, Beat FM and MITV. About 24 state-run broadcasters are also among the outlets affected.

AIT, Raypower FM, Silverbird Television and Rhythm FM were also affected and are run by prominent opposition figures Raymond Dokpesi and Ben Murray-Bruce, respectively.

However, some netizens have taken to the micro-blogging platform, Twitter to express their reactions on the matter.

See some of the reactions below.

@mindset_tweet wrote: “BREAKING: NBC Revokes Silverbird, AIT, Raypower FM, Rhythm FM’s Licences. Welcome back to 1984!”

@citizenc400 wrote: “Everything goes in Nigeria. How can a media house not renew its licenses as and when due? That’s corporate irresponsibility. If you won’t willingly renew what keeps in existence, it is taxes they will pay? Poor corporate attitude.

@anthonykila wrote: “Heaven help us in this land. Why will a media house not renew its licence when due? Why will a regulator suspend media houses via such a terse statement?

@Matthewbello17 wrote: “Shouldn’t there be a window of extension for the renewal of operational license?

@Femicyrus2 wrote: “Over 2 billion for licence! No wonder Ghana had up to over 500 TV stations. Nigeria must frustrate any business with outrageous taxes and levies.

@mikolo_aja wrote: “Let’s wait for the other side of the story. If u made a commitment or have a bill to pay, pay up or make effort. If you go this 2 billion naira is over some years.”

@AghoGodfrey wrote: “They don’t understand high operating costs, something they would have just called and agreed upon by all parties so that business can continue. But some other sections would be given special concessions or even bailouts. I see it from a political angle.”

@feliciamarvelou wrote: “These are some of the prominent stations in Nigeria why did they have to delay the payment this is bad of them I expected more.

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