GM Metro FM receives Award  

Mrs. Ndidi Chineze Osaka was among the 18 recipients of the 2009 Distinguished Nation Builders Merit Awards (DINBM) which took place at Agura Hotel Garki Abuja, on Saturday September 26, 2009.

The Award was in recognition and honour of few people resident in Nigeria who have distinguished themselves by contributing selflessly towards the growth and development of the country in all ramifications.

This year’s Awards mission was based on promoting selfless services to humanity, excellence, integrity and celebration at all levels of human attainment.

According to the organisers, (Complete Success Publications) Mrs. Ndidi Osaka was duly nominated severally by individuals in the society for a period of time and was subsequently endorsed for honours in addition by the organizing committee of the Awards.

The Chairman of the Awards Ceremony Adamu Bawa Mu’azu secretary Nigerian National Merit Awards in his address stated that the Awards objective was to publicly promote a platform whereby the recipients could share with their colleagues the fruits of their professional and intellectual enquiring for national development.

In her citation, Mrs.  Ndidi Osaka was described as a woman of great accomplishments, a multi-award winner, a broadcaster per excellence, a woman with the Midas touch and an epitome of good leadership whose landmark achievement speaks volumes. She is a self made achiever who has been able to weather the storms of life through hardwork, dedication and commitment to her desired objectives.
Apparently, she is by all standards not just an icon but one with great commitments towards the upliftment of the younger generation.
Among the Awards received by Mrs. Ndidi Osaka over the year’s include:

• Best producer Radio Nigeria 2 1989.
• Workers of the quarter (twice) 1988 in Radio Nigeria 2
• Best producer FRCN 1991
• Best Audience Nestle Nutrition Media Award 2002.
• Best Audience Participation Programme Radio Category
• 2004 Celebrity Award ‘I Beg Una’.

Mrs. Ndidi Osaka , GM Metro FM Lagos

Globe FM Bauchi loses staff

The death has been announced of Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu Tilden of FRCN Globe FM Bauchi. He died in a ghastly motor accident along Jos Bauchi road in the early hours of Thursday 20th August, 2009.

He was born in 1984 at Tilden Fulani of Toro Llocal Government Area of Bauchi state. Until his death, he was the producer and presenter of the popular political programme "GA FILI GA DOKI”.

Late Ibrahim Yakubu Tilden attended Tilden Fulani primary school from 19991 to 1996. From there he proceeded to Government Day secondary school Tilden Fulani where he obtained his post primary school certificate in 2003.  

He proceeded to Sa'adu Zurgur Institute of Management and Computer Studies where he graduated with a Diploma in Mass Communication.

He was a recipient of Talent Media Service Award in the 2004. The deceased is survived by a wife, a daughter and an aged mother.

May his soul find peace in AL’JANAT

Mr. Ibrahim Yakubu Tilden of FRCN Globe FM Bauchi

FRCN Board applauds rule of law

The current rule of law in Nigeria has been described as a revolutionary trend where the oppressed could go to the Court to seek redress.

The Chairman Board of Directors of FRCN Chief Bolayefa Debekeme stated this during a working visit to Paramount FM Abeokuta.

Chief Debekeme said for the first time in the political history of Nigeria, opposition could go to Court and get justice.

The Chairman gave an assurance that all the equipment of Radio Nigeria Stations would be digitalized in accordance with world standards.

The FRCN Training school would be repositioned to a degree awarding institution to meet the modern training and retraining of the staff.

The Chairman said the Board would soon come up with series of staff motivation policies without compromising discipline.

Chief Debekeme stated that every step was being taken to ensure the completion of yet to take off FM Stations nationwide.

The Chairman Board of Directors of FRCN Chief Bolayefa Debekeme

COMMUNICATION: FRCN & Eriksson to explore possible areas of mutual benefits

The chairman of the FRCN Board of Directors, Chief Bolayefa Debekeme, said the collaboration would be of great benefit to Radio Nigeria especially in the area of clean signals.

Chief Debekeme said despite the numerous challenges being faced by the Corporation, it had embarked on the upgrade of its equipment nationwide.
           
The Managing Director of the Eriksson Group, Mr. Leif Edwall, proposed a follow-up meeting between the two parties to discuss further on specific areas of co-operation.
                                                           
The Nigeria Ambassador to Spain, Mr. Bola Igali, who was also part of the talks, expressed the hope that the visit would further enhance broadcasting in the country.

The Director-General of FRCN, Mallam Yusuf Nuhu presented to the guests some vital documents about the Corporation.

Radio Nigeria and Electronic giant, the Eriksson Group began talks in Abuja to explore possible areas of mutual benefits.

House of Representatives spokesman visits FRCN

The House of Representatives spokesman, Honorable Eseme Eyiboh, led a delegation of House members to Radio Nigeria.
He informed the Director General that the House is desirous of getting to the grassroot through the radio.

He therefore solicited for a special programme for the parliament where they can reach the masses.

The visiting team elaborated on some of the constituency projects and on how to make governance more efficient through the input and output process.

Honorable Eseme Eyiboh condoled the Director General and the staff of FRCN over the recent fire incident at FRCN Gwagwalada.

REMARKS

In his response, the DG, Bar. Yusuf Nuhu pledged the support of the Corporation to the House in ensuring that the populace derive the full benefit of democracy through the legislative activities of the members.

Fire engulfs Administrative Block FRCN Abuja

Sunday morning, August 23rd 2009, Gwagwalada, the seat of Abuja National Station of FRCN was thrown into pandemonium.

The prefabricated structure of the Administrative building of the Station constructed in 1980 was engulfed by fire.

The whole structure including furniture, computers, documents and equipments were up in flames.
The combined efforts of the men of the Civil Defence, the fire service and passers-by could not salvage much from the building. The immediate cause of the fire could not be ascertained.

The Director General of FRCN, Barr. Yusuf Nuhu arrived the venue of the incident few hours later and met bewildered Zonal Director of the Station, Dr. Samson Shaibu.

The following morning, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili paid a visit to the Station to ascertain the level of damage caused by the fire.
She promised that a committee will be set up to investigate the cause of the fire incident.

The Chairman, FRCN Board of Directors, Rt Hon Boyalafeye Debekeme who arrived the country from Dubai also paid a visit to the Station on Thursday, August 27th 2009.

He enjoined the staff of the Station to consider security as a collective responsibility.
Since the incident occurred, there has been an outpouring of sympathies from Local Council Chairmen, Traditional and Opinion Leaders.

Honorable Eseme Eyiboh and theDirector General Bar. Yusuf Nuhu

The Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili, the Director General of FRCN, Barr. Yusuf Nuhu and the Zonal Director Abuja National Station, Dr. Samson Shaibu.

Secret Cells

Undercover work reveals illegal detention centers

By Solomon K. Adebayo
Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

Undercover investigative work and audio recordings helped me prove the existence of illegal, secret detention centers operated by a government agency in Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city.

The investigation focused on the Abuja Environmental Protection Board. The agency used a task force of fierce-looking men employed as casual workers and paid them according to the number of people they captured and slammed into detention centers for allegedly violating the board’s regulations. The men targeted petty traders, vendors and artisans.

The federal government created the environmental board to try to ensure clean conditions and development of the new capital city. The influx of peasants and traders to the new capital led to the mushrooming of satellite settlements around the city. The board’s mission was to make Abuja look like London and other capital cities in developed countries.

The new capital was conceived during the military administration in 1976 to serve as a solution to the perennial traffic gridlock, hustle and bustle of Lagos, the previous capital. Abuja also is expected to serve as a model city of unity, where all Nigerians would have equal opportunity of land ownership and other rights.

The city’s master plan called for Abuja to be developed in phases, to accommodate all Nigerians, rich and poor. However, that plan was violated by the sudden movement of the seat of government from Lagos to the partly developed capital city in 1992 by the military administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida following attempts to topple his government. No attempt was made to control the development of the satellite towns around the new capital, where workers flocked to try to make a living.

Low-income workers couldn’t afford to live in the central city.
In the course of reporting what became a three-part radio package, I discovered three detention cells: two for male detainees and one for the female, including nursing mothers. To gain entrance to the high-security detention centers, I posed as a relative of a detainee. This gave me the opportunity to have a clearer picture of the subhuman   conditions.

With my hidden voice recorder, I was able to interview detainees, one of whom was arrested for “obstructing justice” and had spent three days in a room packed with more than 30 men-with one window. The detainees included an unemployed university graduate whose offense was challenging the task force’s inhumane methods. The detainees told of their experiences, which included having to urinate and defecate in the room where they were detained.

Aside from their arrest and detention, most of the victims had their property seized and shared among the task force members. Others whose motorbikes were seized had to pay a bribe of about $100 to get them back.

One interesting puzzle I had to unravel was the role of the police. In the course of the investigation, I discovered that a few policemen, including a superior officer, guarded and held the keys of the illegal cells.

A magistrate and a lawyer presided over what can best be described as a kangaroo court. The lawyer coerced the detainees to pay him a fee of about $50 to represent them before the magistrate. Later, the lawyer wrongly advised the detainees to plead guilty to any charges.

The victims, including children as young as 14, often were marched in a group of about 15 to 18 before the magistrate. He read the charges, and the detainees typically pleaded guilty as earlier directed by the lawyer. The magistrate convicted them and ordered them to pay a fine of $70. Those who could not raise the money were normally ordered to prison.
Posing as a client, I was able to get information from the lawyer on how he operated.

After these findings, I did thorough research on the board: its formation, laws guiding its operations and its responsibilities.
My findings revealed that the board has no power under the law to operate the way it did. I confronted the board chairman, who during an interview initially denied the existence of the detention centers. When I put my information on the table, she said that the people detained under subhuman conditions deserved such treatment. Most importantly, she vehemently denied collecting money from victims whose motorbikes were seized.

Puncturing this lie was vital to my report, so I went undercover and posed as the owner of a seized motorbike. I collected the particulars of the bike from its owner and pretended as if I wanted to secure its release, with my hidden recorder on.  I was asked to pay a bribe before securing the release of the bike. Although the chairman denied collecting a penny on seized bikes, I had audio of her staff asking me to for its release.
I questioned the police high authority on their role in the operation of the illegal cells, but as expected the high command denied sending men to serve as guards.

The first part of my report attracted the attention of human rights activists: the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Bar Association and the minister of justice, who in turn wrote the minister of federal capital territory (the parent ministry of the board) to institute a probe into the illegal detention centers.
The board swiftly closed down the centers, cleaned up the probe instituted by the minister led to the sacking of the chairman, the disbandment of the task force and elimination of the special court.

The Abuja branch of the Nigeria Bar Association also investigated the roles of the magistrate and lawyer. Most importantly, the National Human Rights Commission took the board to court and successes in getting a judgment that rendered the activities of the task force unconstitutional.

In preparing the investigative reports, I went to great lengths to get incontrovertible evidence by going undercover with my tape recorder. Reporters working on human rights stories should endeavor to nail down their facts and get indisputable evidence with voice recordings, video or photos.
Above all, you have to be determined and fearless and refuse to compromise – no matter the pressures.

Solomon K. Adebayo discovers the secret detention centers operated by a government agency in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital City

Solomon K. Adebayo is an environment editor and investigative reporter fro the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. He won the Wole Soyinka Award for investigative reporting for 2007 and 2008 and was named 2008 Radio Reporter of the year in the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence. He was a runner-up for the 2008 Global Shining Light International Investigative Journalism Award.

Detainees in the cell

Funke-Treasure emerges VP SMC

A staff of Radio Nigeria, Funke-Treasure Durodola has emerged as the first vice president ever of the National Alumni Association of the School of Media and Communication of the Pan African University.

Mrs. Durodola of Lagos Operations of FRCN emerged after a keenly contested election beating her opponent with 48 points to 26 votes.

The School of Media and Communication is the second school of the Pan African University, the first being the Lagos Business School.

The election held on Saturday, 23rd of May 2009.Other officers elected include Mr. Olukayode Olubunmi as President and Mr. Femi Adeyemo as secretary of the association.

The new executive members will spend two years piloting the affairs of the alumni association with a mandate to professionalize the media. 
The inauguration of the executive will hold soon.

Funke-Treasure Durodola emerges as the first vice president of the National Alumni Association of the School of Media and Communication of the Pan African University

FRCN Board Meets After Inauguration

The first meeting of the new FRCN Board of Directors held 6th May immediately after the inauguration of the Board by the Hon. Minister

The Board led by the Chairman, Rt. Hon. Chief Boyalayefa Debekeme, met with the DG and management of the Corporation in the Board room at FRCN's Radio House Headquarters Abuja.

The DG introduced his management team to the board and the Chairman introduced his members. Both teams exchanged contact information and pledeged to cooperate with one another to reposition FRCN.

A luncheon and reception organised by the chairman's committee of friends held thereafter at the nearby NICON Luxury Hotel in Area 11 Garki.

The Board of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria has the following members:

1. Rt. Hon Chief Boyelayefa Debekeme - Chairman
2. Alh. Abubakar M. Rimi (Jnr) – Member
3. Alh. Idris Abdullahi Kwami – Member
4. Dr. Doyin Okupe – Member
5. Barr. Dupe Ajayi-Gbadebo – Member
6. Alh. Mohammed Buba Mohammed – Member
7. Alhaji Dunoma Goni – Member
8. Hon. Kingsley Kuku – Member
9. Mr. Henry Angulu - Representing Fed. Min. of Information
10. Barr. Yusuf Nuhu –DG FRCN –Member
11. Barr. Mustapha Kurama - Coy. Secretary
12. Miss Boma Kalaiwo - Director FRCN Lagos Operations
13. Alh. Ladan Salihu - Zonal Director Kaduna Nat. Station
14. Dr. Samson Alhaji Shaibu - Zonal Director FRCN Abuja Nat. Station
15. Mrs Ema Ekpo - Ag. Zonal Director FRCN Enugu Nat. Station
16. Mr. Dada Ogundele - Ag. Zonal Director FRCN Ibadan Nat. Station

(nos 10-16 are also in Management)

The Chairman FRCN Board of Directors, Rt. Hon. Chief Boyalayefa Debekeme in a chat with the Director General Mallam Yusuf Nuhu, after the inauguration of the Board

Brace up, times are changing, DG charges FRCN Heads of News

The first annual FRCN Heads of News Summit in 2009 was held between 1st-4th April in the ancient city of Kano.

The summit was declared open by the Deputy Governor, Kano State, Engr. Abdullahi Tijiani Moh’d Gwarzo on behalf of the Governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau.

The Director General, FRCN Barr. Yusuf Nuhu who was attending the summit for the first time after his appointment presented the key note address.

The DG restated his vision; “this summit is an important medium to get staff buy into my vision and the mandate I received from Mr. President.

The ethos of my Administration is justice and fairness to all, but total commitment to my mission. So, with continued Government’s support we are in a time renewal.

Faith, therefore, not magic, not miracle remains the vehicle that will deliver FRCN into the world of new media.”

The DG also x-rayed the broadcast landscape and noted; “As a public broadcaster, Radio Nigeria exists to connect people and to make citizens better informed.

Our responsibilities include provision of content that connects Nigerians and reflects Nigeria’s cultural diversity. This we shall do by ensuring that our bulletin reflects happenings in all parts of the country”.

Bar Nuhu pointed the new direction, “It is no longer enough to report just government pronouncements, we should go the extra mile, and reach behind the issues contained in the press release.
From now, I will like to see a News Directorate manned by people who posses lots of drive, guts and initiative.

On no condition shall we entertain reportage of unverified stories or cases before courts of law.
To do this will, in addition to exposing us to contempt of court undermine our credibility.

Addressing the theme of the summit: ADDRESSING AUDIENCE PREFERENCES IN NEWS CONTENT, the DG states; “It is possible to distil three issues that are of importance to the audience.

First, they want to connect with the content of your bulletin. They do not want the broadcast to be too remote and aloof. 

Second, audiences look for in radio programme full of entertainment; News bulletin that is lively, engaging and interesting.  One with spread and balance makes the audiences’ day.

Third, audience prefers an organisation that fits into the bigger picture that creates an enduring value for them. We create meaning when we connect what FRCN does with what the audience knows.

As one who passed through the mills in journalism, the DG counsels the participants, “When designing your news bulletin, always spare a thought about who your audiences are.

The reason is because we naturally tend to write for people that are just like us. We even tend to think of ourselves as our audience, erroneously believing that we know exactly what our audience wants to hear.

The DG also provided areas to focus on during the summit;

1. Is the network- centre system currently in operation relevant and can it stand the test of scrutiny?
2. Format of our bulletin, content and delivery, do they meet the industry best practice requirements?
3. Is an hour long Network News package instead of 30, 45 minutes ideal, what about listeners’ staying power?

The DG also drew attention to the Re-branding Nigeria Project;
“An important way to re-branding is by involving the people in the movement. To my mind, there is no medium more powerful than Radio Nigeria to sell this and other government programmes to Nigerians and friends of Nigeria”.

According to him, an active involvement of FRCN that has both terrestrial and web-casting capacities in the re-branding vanguard will ensure the following:

1. Increased recognition
2. Enhanced image
3. Greater credibility
4. Goodwill of the audience

Earlier in a welcome address, the Acting Director News, Mr. Ademola Afolabi noted that gone are the days when Newsmen/Producers attempt to define the audience preferences from the comfort of air-conditioned offices.

“We can now pose the question: what are the preferences of our audiences in News Bulletins; can we determine these on our own, if not how do we get to know such preferences”?

Various speakers presented papers during the summit.
The summit was attended by Heads of News in all the National and FM stations across the Corporation as well as the Headquarters.

Mallam Yusuf Nuhu’s appointment commended

The appointment of Mallam Yusuf Nuhu as the Director General of FRCN has continued to receive commendation from some dignitaries.

One of such is Chief Darlington Okereke representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.
           
He described the appointment of Mallam Nuhu as a mark of absolute confidence in him and recognition of his cognate experience, integrity and administrative ability.
           
Chief Okereke urged the Director-General to write his name in Gold in the media environment.
           
In his commendation letter, the former Director-General of FRCN, Dr. Eddie Iroh called on the new DG to enhance the tradition of excellence, true professionalism and management with compassion.

He said Mallam Nuhu Yusuf was an active participant in the effort to re-engineer and re-brand Radio Nigeria during the former DG’s six year tenure.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists called on the new Director-General of FRCN to remain steadfast in the pursuit of professional excellence so that Radio Nigeria will continue to render selfless service to the nation.
           
The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Mr. Eseme Eyiboh says the appointment of Mallam Yusuf Nuhu is a clear testimony of Government’s commitment to the development of its communication infrastructure.
           
He said this would enhance professionalism, value creation in the media.
           
Mr. Eyiboh gave an assurance that the leadership and members of the House of Representatives would continue to collaborate with the FRCN to promote democracy in the country.