Information minister calls for calm over suspension of Niger radio

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for calm over the suspension of the operations of Badegi FM, a radio station in Minna, Niger State.

This is contained in a statement issued by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Saturday in Abuja.

Idris noted the concerns raised by various stakeholders in the media industry regarding the recent directive by the Niger State Government suspending the operations of the FM station.

According to reports, Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State had issued the directive during an expanded state All Progressives Congress caucus meeting in Minna on Friday, citing allegations of unethical broadcasting and incitement by the station.

While acknowledging the concerns raised, the minister, however, noted that the suspension of broadcasting licences falls within the purview of the National Broadcasting Commission, as stipulated by law.

“In the light of this, the minister welcomes the decision of the Niger government to formally report the perceived ‘unethical behaviour’ by Badegi FM to the NBC,” the statement said.

Idris appealed to all parties to remain calm, assuring them that the NBC has the necessary mechanisms to resolve the issue in a fair and impartial manner.