Broadcasting
NBC Says no Going Back on New Broadcasting Code
Armstrong Idachaba, director-general of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), says the commission is not backing down on the controversial amendment to the country’s broadcasting code.
Idachaba said the new broadcasting code is to break the monopoly of “greedy capitalists” who “call themselves dominant players” and allow local payTV platforms to thrive.
In March 2020, the NBC released the 6th edition of its broadcasting code, which mandates sub-licensing of premium content and kills the idea of exclusivity.
Broadcasters, columnists, and Multichoice, one of the dominant players in the Nigerian payTV industry, have spoken against the code, which they say further stifles the growth of the industry.
But Idachaba disagrees; according to him, “the amendments have been made, no going back because we believe it is good for our country, they are already operational”.
Speaking with Osasu Igbinedion on The Osasu Show, Idachaba said the NBC has licenced several local payTV platforms, but they do not survive due to the presence of the likes of DStv.
When asked about the negative effect the lack of exclusivity clause may have on DStv, Idachaba said: “Let me give you a poser as background: Why is it, have you ever thought, that our local tv, cable, paid services are nonexistent? There is no Nigerian that is active on the payTV platform, no Nigerian company.
“NBC licenced several, up to 30 Nigerian firms to offer paid television services in Nigeria and none of them succeeded. Why, because they cannot compete in the international content market.
“And what happens to the international content market, the people with the big purse, the global capitalist, those that call themselves dominant players, they go to acquire those rights and keep it to themselves in the guise of exclusivity and deny all other operators an opportunity for sublicensing.
“What does that do? What it does is to create a monopolistic economy for whoever is the buyer of that content and the person is able to maximize profit unhindered. That is why you find internet penetration in Nigeria is increasing by the day. That is why you find that all those big monopolies break even and make tonnes of money.
“What we are saying is that when you go to acquire these rights, because you are acquiring them for the Nigerian market, because your intent is to exploit the Nigerian audiences and viewers, we want you also to give back by sublicensing to local Nigerian players that may be interested.”
Idachaba said DStv must now sub-licence the English Premier League to other players in the industry, who may be interested.
“If you bring EPL for instance and say I am the owner of EPL, only me can show EPL and on my platform alone, so whoever wants to watch premier league would have to buy DStv, even if you have Startimes, you cannot watch,” he added.
“If you are on open television, the open terrestrial, where low-income earner, those on the lower social ladder, where they thrive, then they are denied which is class stratification in itself on account of content acquisition.
“We are saying create these windows. If you get the rights, fine, we welcome you, invest in Nigeria, but create channels for sublicensing”
Confronted with the fact that Multichoice, the owners of DStv, don not have the rights to sub-licence the English Premier League (EPL) Idachaba said “whoever is giving them the rights has to understand” that there is a new NBC code.
“If you are going to acquire your rights, you know that in the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, we have plainly said you can’t have exclusive right. So whoever, if giving you that right has to understand that he cannot give it to only you in Nigeria.
“If any other Nigerian is interested in that right, they must also discuss at mutually agreed price. Because what has happened over time is that this exclusivity is used to shut other people who are willing to participate. You shut the window.
“How then do you develop an economy? We have thousands of young promising Nigerian entrepreneurs, you know that premium content derives advertising. If these channels are made available at lower window levels through sublicensing to local little operators, they too will be able to attract some level of advertising.
“But Capitalist are greedy, they are extremely self-centered, they don’t want to give it out. But we know it is important for our own economy and creative subsectors that this happens.”
The DG, who has worked at NBC for over 28 years called on Nigerians to “have an ideological, philosophical understanding of the motive of the policy, what does it intend to achieve”.
He said the policy is to “redynamise and redistribute wealth in a way that there would be more participation, more engagement and more opportunities”.
“What makes the capitalist think that by keeping content to themselves, they maximize all the profits? Chances are that by sublicensing, you make more. The more you share to people based on the agreed sum, you are more likely to make more money quickly. It doesn’t reduce your own large share but creates open windows.”
National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has refuted claims that it approved a herbal product marketed as “lung-cleansing tea” for smokers.
Mojisola Adeyeye, director-general of NAFDAC, in a statement on Saturday, December 14, clarified that the product, identified as Lungitox (Smokers Pride), was never approved and had its registration application rejected due to its unsubstantiated health claims.
“The attention of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has been drawn to a misleading video circulating on social media, alleging that NAFDAC approved the registration of a herbal product claiming that ‘smoking is healthy’ when used with their product,” the statement read.
“NAFDAC wishes to categorically state that this claim is false and completely unfounded.
“The product in question—Lung Detox Tea or Lungitox (Smokers Pride) or any similar product—is NOT registered by NAFDAC.
The unscrupulous individual behind this product had applied for registration, but the application was outrightly rejected due to the unsubstantiated and dangerous claim that smoking could be made ‘healthy’ by consuming the product.”
NAFDAC reaffirmed its commitment to protecting public health and ensuring that only safe and scientifically validated products are approved.
“NAFDAC remains steadfast in its mandate to protect public health and ensure that only safe, effective, and scientifically substantiated products are approved.
“We condemn any attempt to mislead or endanger the public with false claims.
“The public is advised to disregard this video and report any suspicious claims or products to the Agency through our official channels.”
Adeyeye provided contact information for reporting such claims, urging Nigerians to remain vigilant.
“For further inquiries or reports, please contact NAFDAC via 0800-162-3322, email [email protected], or visit our website at www.nafdac.gov.ng.
NAFDAC will continue to take decisive action against any individual or entity attempting to violate public health standards.”
The agency reiterated its dedication to ensuring that all products in the Nigerian market meet the required safety and efficacy standards.
A coalition of media organisations, comprising the League of Public Affairs Analysts and South East Media Professionals Network, has called for disciplinary action against Arise TV and Dr. Reuben Abati, show host, over alleged inciting remarks against the Igbos.
This was contained in a formal petition to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), signed by Ambrose Igboke.
According to the group, Arise TV and Dr. Reuben Abati allegedly made a divisive comment against the South East and Igbos during a TV Breakfast Show on November 21, 2024.
Recall that during the November 21 Breakfast Show, Abati had said on Arise TV, “It is a shame that the same Igbos who are so industrious that they’re all over and they do well in other parts of Nigeria.
“You go there as a non-Igbo man to go and buy land, you’ll be told that you don’t belong, even as an in-law. These are the issues in my view.”
The journalist and former Presidential aid referred to an incident reportedly involving the former Minister of Information, T.O.S Benson, who sought to purchase land in Igbo land for his wife.
The anti-Igbo comment has resulted in criticism and outburst from different groups.
They argued in the petition that there are “concerns about remarks made by Dr. Abati, which perpetuated harmful stereotypes against the Igbo community.
“These statements have been further amplified by extremist groups like Lagospidia, exacerbating ethnic tensions in an already delicate socio political climate.”
The media professionals said, “Dr. Abati’s reference to the Igbo people in a broad, negative context risks inflaming ethnic tensions and promoting dangerous generalizations. This kind of action was what ignited the Rwandan genocide where the Hutu and Tutsi engaged in a fratricidal war of extermination. It all started with a radio
“His comments were quickly weaponized by groups known for anti-Igbo sentiments, fueling divisive narratives that undermine national unity.
“Dr. Abati’s hostile response to a colleague, Ms. Ojy Okpe, on the following day’s broadcast, demonstrated a troubling disregard for professional journalistic standards.
” The remarks and behavior constitute a breach of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, which prohibits content that incites division or promotes hate speech.”
The petitioners called for a thorough review of Abati’s remarks and the editorial lapses that allowed such conduct to air.
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on aviation passengers to become more informed about the challenges they may encounter while traveling through airports.
This appeal was made by the NCAA Head of Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, during a road walk in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Saturday, December 7.
He highlighted the importance of passenger awareness, especially during the heavy travel season, and emphasized the need for proper sensitization regarding flight delays and possible solutions.
“We’re now in the high travel season in aviation and as you know there’s been a lot of flight disruptions as well as a lot of complaints,” Achimugu said.
“Our duty at NCAA is to sensitize our passengers because most of the time when complaints come about these disruptions, it comes from a place of poor knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as air passengers. We must protect both the passenger and the airline,” he added.
The NCAA continues to engage in efforts to educate passengers and address concerns during this busy travel period.
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