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FG Approves 67 New Radio, TV Stations, To Establish Broadcast Institute

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The Federal Government has approved 67 new broadcast licences for radio and television stations across the country, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mallam Balarabe Ilelah, announced Thursday.

He also called on broadcasters to continue to abide by the NBC Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, the Electoral Act, and any extant law that guides media operations to ensure that the general election is free, fair and credible.

These new licences are coming less than three months to the end of the current regime, which according to industry critics, are parting gifts from President Muhammadu Buhari.

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READ ALSO: Full List: NBC Shuts 52 Broadcast Stations

He called on the licensees that had yet to pay their outstanding debts to come forward and settle them.

Ilelah said the approval of the 67 broadcast licences would bring to a total of 473 licences granted by the Buhari regime.

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Ilelah stated these during a media parley where he presented his scorecard in the past two years in office.

He said, ‘‘I have committed so much to repositioning the commission and making it an optimally productive regulator. The intrinsic democratic values in President Muhammadu Buhari have made him to be the President in the history of Nigeria that has granted approval for a hundred broadcast licences.’’

READ ALSO: Broadcast Code: NBC Slams Arise TV, TVC N2m

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Ilelah, however, said the number was expected to grow with the anticipatory approval of additional licences by the President soon.

The NBC DG also revealed that 302 broadcast stations breached its code in the last two years.

He said the President had approved the independence of the NBC from any political interference in the exercise of its regulatory functions, particularly with respect to issuance and withdrawal of broadcasting licences.

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Ilelah called on broadcasters to continue to cooperate with the Commission in abiding by the provisions guiding broadcast operations in Nigeria.

The DG also stated that the President gave approval for the commission to acquire state-of-the-art nationwide broadcast monitoring equipment.

As part of the commission’s drive to further professionalise the broadcasting industry, Ilelah said the NBC was motivated to establish the Nigeria Broadcast Institute for the training of the players.

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‘‘You may recall that in the last parley with you, I inundated you with the intention to establish an Institute. I am glad to inform you that a befitting building has been secured to start the Institute soonest. Each broadcaster is expected to pass through the Institute, particularly new entrants, starting with the 67 new licensees approved by the President’’, he said.

On the status of the Digital Switch Over, the NBC boss said the commission was working on simultaneous delivery of Nigeria to the life-changing experience of digital broadcasting using SIMULCRYPT.

 

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Former Delta North senator Peter Nwaoboshi Dies

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Peter Nwaoboshi, the former senator representing Delta north, is dead.

Details of the circumstances surrounding his death were unclear at the time of this report, but according to reports, the former senator died in Abuja on Friday, aged 68.

In a statement, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta, expressed “profound grief” over the demise of the former lawmaker.

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The governor described his demise as a monumental loss to the state, the Anioma nation, and Nigeria.

READ ALSO:Woman Taken For Dead Wakes Up Inside Coffin Few Minutes To Her Cremation

In a condolence message signed by Festus Ahon, his chief press secretary (CPS), Oborevwori hailed the late Nwaoboshi as a dedicated son of Delta and a bold champion of Anioma interests, whose legacy in nation-building will endure.

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The governor said the late senator’s distinguished tenure in the national assembly, particularly as chairman of the senate committee on Niger Delta affairs.

Nwaoboshi lived a life of service to his people, his party, and the country, bequeathing a heritage of bravery, loyalty, and commitment to public duty,” Oborevwori said.

READ ALSO:Fourteen Nigerian Banks Yet To Meet CBN’s Recapitalisation Ahead Of Deadline

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“On behalf of the Delta State government and people, I mourn my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.

I extend deepest condolences to his family, the Anioma people, members of the All Progressives Congress, and everyone touched by his life.

“May God grant his soul peaceful rest and comfort to all who grieve this irreplaceable loss.”

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Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

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The Indoor Sports Hall in Benin City came alive on Wednesday as the Edo State Sports Commission rolled out the drums to celebrate the first anniversary in office of its Executive Chairman, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele. Management, staff, coaches and athletes gathered in an atmosphere charged with pride, reflection and optimism.

The colourful ceremony drew executives and members of various sports associations, officials of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), coaches, athletes and other key stakeholders in Edo sports.

In her welcome address, the Acting Permanent Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. A. P. Amenze, praised Hon. Enabulele for what she described as focused and purposeful leadership. She said the past year had seen renewed confidence, discipline and energy return to the state’s sports ecosystem.

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Adding excitement to the event were exhibition bouts and demonstrations by the Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo and Judo associations, staged in honour of the Executive Chairman.

READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Enabulele Charges Edo Coaches On Performance

Speaking for SWAN Edo State, Chairman Comrade Kehinde Osagiede commended Hon. Enabulele’s open-door leadership style and consistent support for sports development. He noted that the Commission had effectively driven Governor Monday Okpebholo’s “Catch Them Young” policy through practical grassroots programmes that identify and groom young talents across the state.

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In recognition of his contributions to sports development and media relations, Comrade Osagiede conferred the Patronship of SWAN Edo State on Hon. Enabulele and presented him with a special anniversary card.

Goodwill messages followed from Executive Directors of the Commission, including Hon. Frank Ilaboya (Edo North), Coach Baldwin Bazuaye, MON (Edo South), Barr. Anthony Ikuenobe (Edo Central), and Mrs. Sabrina Chikere, Executive Director, Sports Development and Operations. Representatives of coaches, athletes and sports associations also took turns to acknowledge the progress recorded under the current leadership.

In his stewardship address, Hon. Enabulele expressed gratitude to Governor Monday Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa for the trust placed in him, noting that their backing and shared vision had driven the Commission’s achievements.

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READ ALSO:Enabulele Lauds Okpehbolo For Creating Enabling Environment For Football To Thrive

He highlighted Team Edo’s third-place finish at the 9th National Youth Games in Asaba, where the state recorded its best-ever outing with 79 medals—33 gold, 18 silver and 28 bronze—reinforcing Edo’s reputation as a national sports powerhouse.

The Chairman also pointed to the impact of inclusive and grassroots sports programmes, citing Favour Ojeabu, a visually impaired para-cyclist who won three gold medals to emerge Africa’s champion at the African Track Para-Cycling Championship in Egypt.

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Other milestones listed included outstanding performances by Edo para powerlifters on the international stage, historic achievements in cricket, weightlifting, cycling, judo and deaf athletics, as well as structural reforms such as the repositioning of Bendel Insurance FC and deeper investment in grassroots sports development.

Cultural performances added colour and tradition to the celebration, as stakeholders closed the event united in their assessment of the past year as a truly transformative period for sports development in Edo State.

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Otuaro Tasks Media On Objective Reportage

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The Administrator, Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Dr. Dennis Otuaro has charged media practitioners particularly members of the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum to promote ethical journalism through their reportage.

He gave the charge in Warri on Wednesday during the 2nd Annual Ijaw Media Conference organised by the Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF).

Represented by Princewill Binebai, spokesman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Otuaro while stating that the Niger Delta stories have been told in such a way that is quite different from what is obtainable in the real sense, said this, IPF must do everything possible to correct.

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The administrator added: “I am happy that Ijaw journalists have boldly come out together to champion the Ijaw struggle in a very dynamic perspective”.

READ ALSO:IPF Hosts Media Conference, Seeks Protection For N’Delta Environment

“The Ijaw story was misrepresented over the years, but IPF’s emergence had corrected this error and the story is gradually changing for better.”

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Otuaro, however, challenged Ijaw media practitioners to be objective, truthful, accurate and fearless in their reportage to correct many years anomalies of the Ijaw struggle.

He admonished members of IPF to see themselves as brothers and love one another in the discharge of their activities to achieve a common goal.

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