The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation has responded to concerns raised by media professionals and stakeholders over the recent suspension of Minna-based Badegi FM by the Niger State Government.
According to reports, the suspension was ordered by Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, during an expanded APC caucus meeting in Minna on August 1.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation was present at the meeting.
Governor Bago cited allegations of unethical broadcasts and inciting content against the state government as the basis for the suspension.
In a statement by Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister, the Ministry acknowledged the state government’s concerns but clarified that the suspension or withdrawal of broadcasting licenses falls under the legal authority of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The Ministry commended the Niger State Government for referring the matter to the NBC, stating that it is the proper channel to address such allegations.
“The Minister urges all parties to remain calm,” the statement read, assuring that the NBC has the mechanisms to resolve the issue fairly and impartially.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
