By Nyerhovwo Oghenetejiri
Hon. Emmanuel Egbabor,Executive Chairman, Isoko North Local Government Council has secured the approval of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to establish Isoko Radio that will be the first radio station to be established by local government in Nigeria.
The NBC approval was contained in a letter dated August 7 2015 signed by Alheri Saidu, Acting Secretary, NBC on behalf of the Director-General and addressed to the Chairman, Isoko North Local Government, it reads in part; ‘Re: Your Application for a Broadcast License’ “Your letter dated 20th November, 2014 in respect of the.above mentioned subject matter refers;
“I am directed to inform you that the National Broadcasting Commission has approved for your Council to purchase an application form for the purpose of applying for Low Power FM Radio License to operate an FM Radio Broadcast in Isoko with only.Isoko towns as coverage area,”
Hon. Egbabor who was visibly elated shortly after receiving the letter said that the establishment of the radio station was part of his dream for a united and prosperous Isoko Nation, adding, “we intend to establish the radio station under the PPP Model so that we can bring in investors and experts to invest and manage it to enable it outlive our administration.
The Isoko North Council boss further added that the station would serve a wide range of Isoko communities, targeting diverse audience from rural to inner city areas with content ranging from community news and information to religious issues to experimental music and RnB, health and agriculture matters., he spoke further, “in addition to providing unique content, the radio station will deliver wide benefits to people in the areas. This includes offering training and work experience opportunities, contributions to local education and providing a voice to those, such as older people or speakers of minority languages, who may find it harder to access the media.”
