The Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has removed the Acting Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission(NC) Armstrong Idachaba, but no reason was made available as at the time of the filing this report.
Penpushing reports that, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed in a statement announced Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, as the new Director-General of the commission, while it was not also clear why government did not consider Idachaba for the position in a substantive capacity.
The immediate past former boss at the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was appointed acting Director-General of the commission replacing Modibbo Kawu who was suspended for alleged financial impropriety in February 2020.
Penpushing further reports that, replacement of Idachaba comes amid the moves of the regulatory body to censor social media and the reportage of broadcast media organizations, while it is recalled that government had earlier banned the operations of Twitter in the country and threatened to prosecute citizens who still use the social media platform despite the ban.
The former commission boss had in a statement ordered radio and television stations to deactivate their Twitter accounts, and also placed advertorial, asking all social media platforms and online broadcasting service providers in Nigeria to apply for the broadcast licence.
Penpushing also reports that explained that the application is in line with the provision of the National Broadcasting Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation 2004, section 2(1)(b)).
“The Commission shall have responsibility of receiving, processing and considering applications for the establishment, ownership or operation of Radio & Television Stations including cable television services, Direct Satellite Broadcast (DSB), and ANY medium of Broadcasting.
“The National Broadcasting Commission hereby directs every Online Broadcast Service provider and Social Media Platforms operating within the Nigerian State to apply and obtain broadcast Licence for their Service(s)’.
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