Tag: AIT

  • AIT off air in Rivers as mast falls on transmission house

    AIT off air in Rivers as mast falls on transmission house

    Employees of the African Independent Television (AIT), operated by DAAR Communications, were stranded yesterday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, following the decision of the state government to demolish an analogue communication mast and the transmission house of the station.

    It was learnt that government officials failed to pull down the mast on Sunday but returned yesterday to complete the job.

    The mast reportedly fell on the transmission building during the demolition, getting the media house off the air instantly.

    The development was said to have shut down AIT’s terrestrial station within the state, the Southsouth and the Southeast.

    The state government has been having a running battle with DAAR Communications to reclaim parts of the vast land occupied by AIT in the area designated as Government Reserved Area (GRA) 5.

    During the dismantling of the mast, which started around 8 a.m and ended at 1 p.m, most employees of the company became helpless, moving about without having anything to do.

    Read Also; Wike frowns at N85bn Wasa housing infrastructure, says project poorly negotiated

    But an employee, who spoke in confidence, explained that the Rivers State government should not be blamed for its action as it had given AIT a reasonable time to relocate the facility.

    He said: “It is not the government’s fault. After reclaiming a chunk of the land, the Rivers State government confined AIT’s operation to enough plots of land allocated to it in the area.

    “The government asked the company to relocate its mast to the area. The government even fenced the property for the company. For over nine months, AIT could not relocate the mast.

    “Perhaps, they were waiting for the state government to build a new mast for them after helping them to fence the property. So, for me, it is not the fault of the state government.”

    But another source, who also spoke in confidence, said: “The state government brought a letter in March, gave us 48 hours to relocate the mast and the transmitter’s building. The case on this land is still in court and the court has not asked us to remove it. This very issue is handled from our head office in Abuja.

    “The government only came back on Sunday and gave us four hours to move our things out of the transmission room. But we could not because it was raining. On Monday, they came and pulled down the mast. The tall mast fell on the transmission building and destroyed the building.”

  • UPDATED: NBC shuts down Daar Communication until further notice

    The Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended the license of Daar Communication Plc, promoter of AIT, RAY POWER until further notice.

    The Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu announced the shutdown on Thursday.

    He said the action was taken for failure of the broadcasting station to abide by the broadcasting code.

    NBC had threatened to sanction Daar Communications Group over the use of social media comments in one of its programmes, Kakaaki, and ‘unprofessional’ conducts by the media house.

    The NBC, Nigeria’s broadcast regulatory commission, had also requested the media house to explain why it should not be sanctioned for broadcasting ‘inciting’ and ‘unfair’ contents.

    But in his reaction, the Founder and Chairman Emeritus of DAAR Communications Plc, owner of RayPower FM, African Independent Television (AIT) and FAAJI FM, High Chief Raymond Dokpesi protested against threat, saying that it is a plot by the Government of the day to gag the media and suppress free speech.

    Dokposi who led a protest March in Abuja instead that the broadcasting stations have not violated any code of broadcasting as alleged by the NBC.

    ” The NBC and the government in power are not comfortable with the broadcast industry because of its courageous and dogged stance in informing Nigerians on happenings in the country.

    “We are in a Democracy and must all rise to defend Nigeria from anti-democratic forces,” he added.

    In what looks like a swift reaction to the protest, the Commission announced the indefinite suspension.

    Read also: Dokpesi protests alleged witch-hunt by NBC boss

    Besides, the commission also note that part of the sins of Dar Communication was its failure to be up to date with its due.

    This Kawu said must be paid before any consideration for pardon beside other laid down rules that must be met.

    The NBC boss also denied any partisan position in the shutdown saying that the broadcasting station on many occasions fell shut of the broadcasting code .

    He said ” Today the 6th of June, 2019, AIT/Rapower embarked on use of inflammatory, divisive, inciting broadcasts, and media propaganda against the government and, the NBC for performing its statutory functions of regulating the broadcast industry in Nigeria.

    “Consequently, after several meetings with management of DaarCommunications Plc and many letters of warning.  The NBC, today 6th June, 2019 took a decision to suspend the licence of Daar Communications Plc for failure to abide by the Commission’s directives, the provisions of the NBC Act Cap N11

    “The SHUT DOWN order is until further notice.”

    He said the commission drew its powers to suspend the broadcast station from its establishing Act.

    “This decision is based on the provisions of Section 10 of the Third Schedule of the NBC Act Cap N11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, which states as follows:

     

    “where in the opinion of the Commission the station has been used in a manner detrimental to national interest.

    “where there is wilful or repeated failure to operate substantially as set forth in the licence

    “where there is wilful or repeated violation or wilful or repeated failure to observe any provision of this Act or any rule or regulation of the Commission authorised by this Act or by a treaty ratified by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “where there is violation of or failure to observe any cease and desist order issued by the Commission;

    “where a provision of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code has been seriously breached.”

    Given background to the shutdown, Kawu who chronicled the many offenses of the broadcasting station said, “Following monitoring reports and complaints from concerned Nigerians about the broadcast contents of Daar Communications Plc’s AIT/Raypower broadcast stations, the NBC have over the last 2 years summoned on several occasions management of the company to address issues regarding the operations of AIT/Raypower with the company, particularly, Political Platform and Kakaaki aired on AIT.

    “In one of our meetings, held on 2nd June, 2017, the Commission expressed its disappointment with the way and manner Hate Speech, divisive and inciting comments are applied in discussion of national issues in breach of the provisions of the NBC Act and Broadcast Code.

    “Again, on 15th August, 2017, it became imperative to invite the company for yet another meeting on almost same issues.  Furthermore, while addressing another meeting on 7thFebruary, 2018 we highlighted issues of concern to the Commission which indicated that the company had been breaching the provisions of Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of the broadcast Code.  The company’s delegates in their response promised to abate the breaches and comply with the law.

    “However, on October 18, 2018, the Commission was disturbed with the manner in which social media issues became part of the mainstream media unedited on AIT/Raypower, and was constrained to issue a generic letter to all broadcast stations on the need to exercise caution in the use of user generated content from the social media knowing how volatile and misleading the social media has become. The management of Daar Communication Plc thereafter took to the social media to display our official correspondences.

    “Recently, the Commission’s monitoring reports on AIT/Raypower indicate the use of divisive comments accredited to the segment of “Kakaaki”, tagged, “Kakaaki Social”, where inciting comments like, “Nigeria  is cursed, we declare independent state of Niger Delta”, “Nigeria irritates me”, “this country is gradually Islamizing” and other similar slogans are used without editorial control in breach of the broadcast Code.  We were therefore constrained to issue Daar Communication letters of warning dated May 27th, 2019.

    “We also observed from monitoring reports that a documentary on the Presidential Election Tribunal, a pending election petition matter aired on AIT on Wednesday and Thursday, 22ndand 23rd May, 2019 without regard to the provisions of the Broadcast Code.  The Commission, in line with its regulatory powers again cautioned AIT in another letter also dated 27thMay, 2019.

    “However, instead of making amends, the management of Daar Communications Plc resorted to the use of media propaganda against the regulator.  Even the letters from the NBC were posted on social media platforms.”

    Needless to state that Daar Communications have over the years turned themselves into a bad example of how a professional broadcast outfit should not be run.

    In their relationship with the NBC, Daar Communications carry on, as if it is beyond the regulatory direction of the Commission.  They don’t pay their license fees as and when due.

    Its broadcast is patently partisan and one-sided and deliberately inciting and heating the polity.  The management of the Company has created the habit of using the channel to fight its personal battles contrary to the statutory requirements of the law.

     

  • Obasanjo seeks apology from AIT over alleged ‘meeting with Osinbajo, others’

    FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo has asked the African Independent Television (AIT) to retract with apology, the airing of a photo on its social media segment, Kakaki Social, where a purported tweeter account belonging to him, depicted a picture of his alleged meeting with Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN).

    The alleged meeting, at his Ota farm in Ogun State, also included Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.

    Obasanjo said the apology should also be extended to Osinbajo for the embarrassment the depiction of the picture might have caused him.

    The elder statesman stated this in a statement issued by his Special Assistant (Media) Kehinde Akinyemi yesterday.

    He expressed disappointment that AIT could disseminate information it sourced from fake Twitter Account without first verifying it.

    He added that he did not have Twitter account anywhere and expressed concern over the continuous use of his name by suspected fraudsters on social media platforms.

    Obasanjo  warned  that whoever that is caught perpetrating the act, would be made to face prosecution immediately, even as he advised the media to always be professional in discharging their duty and refrain from creating unnecessary confusion and heating up the polity

    “It is a fact that severally, (sic) the former President dissociated himself from owning any social media account. Therefore, it is highly disappointing that such sensitive Twitter post would be allowed to go on air without verification by the African Independent Television (AIT).

    “There was no meeting with the Vice President anywhere. I was at the airport and was informed that he was around in the Lounge and out of courtesy, I felt I should go and greet him. We met, greeted and exchanged pleasantries and I left. That was all.

    “The station should have been very professional and not causing confusion and heating up the polity. That I am not operating any social media account should not be strange to a station like AIT, and for that embarrassment, the Vice President and I deserve an apology,” Obasanjo said.

     

     

  • EFCC’s witness to court: Oluwatosin Dokpesi got over N100m

    EFCC’s witness to court: Oluwatosin Dokpesi got over N100m

    The trial of businessman, Raymond Dokpesi resumed before a Federal High Court in Abuja Wednesday with a prosecution witness, Abubakar Madaki disclosing that Dokpesi’s  wife Oluwatosin received over N100m from the N2.1bn allegedly paid to DAAR Investment company by the office of National Security Adviser (NSA).

    Madaki, an investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said investigation did not reveal the existence of any contract between Dokpesi’s company and the office of the NSA to have warranted the payment of N2.1b to the defendants.

    Dokpesi and DAAR Investment are being tried before Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja by the EFCC for allegedly receiving N2.1b from the office of the NSA for an unknown contract.

    Madaki, who was led in evidence Oluwaleke Atolagbe, Wednesday, the witness Abubakar  Madaki  told the trial court that “there was no contract and no reason for the payments.”

    The witness gave details of how Dokpesi allegedly disposed the money paid by the office of the NSA.

    He said that the EFCC traced part of the fund from DAAR Investment’s account to the Presidential Debate Group.

    The witness said Dokpesi, who allegedly transferred the fund, claimed it was his contribution to the Presidential Debate Group.

    The payment was captured in a letter by Abuja Investment Company, which the court later admitted in evidence.

    The witness also named Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa as one of the beneficiaries of the fund. He said Jijiwa confirmed, in his statement to investigators, that the N100m was given to him from the fund, as a soft loan, although the 1st defendant allegedly claimed that Jijiwa was paid as a resource person.

    Madaki said one Timawus Martins was paid N20m, as a resource person, while Matthias, a staff of AIT Yola office received N8.1million as payment for political jingles .

    The witness also told the court that Mathias, who was in charge of Yola office of AIT, received N4.5m as compensation for his vehicle that had an accident.

    He added: “The sum of N4.3m and N2.3m was used for extension of electricity installation for AIT office in Yola and another N1.3m for borehole in AIT office in Yola.”

    Madaki also named Mrs Oluwatosin Dokpesi, who he said got over N100m and  “other various sums.”

    He also told the court that two personal assistants to the 1st defendant (Dokpesi),  Gabriel Agoyin and Godfrey  Usifoh, received N40m and N30m.

    He said the EFCC obtained responses from  Silverbird, Punch newspaper,  Guardian newspapers, Kiss Fm, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Capital FM, Leadership newspapers, Abuja Broadcasting, Media Trust and Nigerian Pilot Newspapers.

    The court later admitted the letters from media houses as exhibits.

    Madaki said when the EFCC wrote the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to ascertain if there was a contract for which the money was paid; BPP responded that there was no contract and no reason for the payments.

    The witness, who concluded his evidence-in-chief Wednesday will be cross-examined by the defence when proceedings resumes in the case on March 9.

     

  • No. 1 female traffic warden bags her 10th award in Lagos

    No. 1 female traffic warden bags her 10th award in Lagos

    A police traffic warden attached to Sabo Police Division in Lagos,  Insp. Josephine Ogene, was on Thursday honoured by the DAAR Communications for her outstanding performance in traffic management.

    Mr Ambrose Shomide, the Managing Director, Radio Services, Daar Communications, the owners of Raypower, AIT and Faaji FM station, presented the award to her while controlling traffic at St. Agnes Junction, Sabo-Yaba Road, Lagos.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that for the about 180 seconds while the award ceremony lasted, motorists and members of the public watched with admiration.

    Shomide said the award was part of the organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibility to honour people, who had distinguished themselves in their jobs or chosen careers.

    He said that the organisation received many calls, requesting for an award for Ogene as the number one traffic warden in the state.

    “While we were decorating her, motorists and others who had seen her performance,  were singing her praises as number one traffic warden.

    “That shows that our choice of her for the award was not wrong; people testified that anytime she is on duty, no matter the traffic situation, she clears it within a short time,” Shomide said.

    In her response, Ogene, who had put in more than 20 years on the job, told newsmen that she enjoyed controlling traffic and the appreciation she received from people passing or motorists.

    “I feel so happy doing this job. It gives me more joy when people appreciate me on duty. I have got nine awards before now. This Daar Communications one makes it the 10th award.

    “A day I will never forget happened about two weeks ago when a bullion van hit me while controlling traffic,” she said.

    “I was posted to Sabo Division since 2011 and I am grateful to God and the people for appreciating my work.”

    Mr Emeka Udo, a commercial bus driver at the event, told NAN:“Ogene’s performance is outstanding, I am not surprised that she received the award.

    “We call her `Iron Mama’ whenever she is on duty, no traffic around here. She knows the job and she does it smiling.”

  • 2015 OKPEKPE RACE Organisers hail SuperSports,  AIT, Channels

    2015 OKPEKPE RACE Organisers hail SuperSports, AIT, Channels

    Organisers of the Okpekpe International 10km road race have hailed the Nigerian media as well as the Nigeria Police Force for their roles in making the fifth edition of the race held a forthnight ago in Okpekpe near Auchi in Edo state a huge success.

    ”The publicity which the fifth edition of the Okpekpe race enjoyed is second to none and this is thanks to the Nigeria media.Without the media,the race would have lost its substance as not many people would have had the opportunity to follow the events locally and far beyond,’said Dare Esan,spokesman for the Okpekpe race.

    ‘Through the media the race was presented with electrifying beauty and it has made it attractive to sponsors who have also helped in ensuring the IAAF Bronze Label race is sustained’.

    Esan is particular about the contribution of Supersports Nigeria,Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels television who are official media partners of the race.

    ‘We want to say a special thank you to Supersports who have been worthy partners since the start of the race.We thank them for also helping out with the kids in Etsako East local government with their Let’s Play programme, a corporate social responsibility initiative they developed in response to a national need.

    About 3,000 kids benefited from this initiative a day before the main Okpekpe race. For these children, a seed has been sown and they will draw inspiration from their experiences for years to come,’said Esan.

    ‘We cannot also forget the role played by Channels,especially its Chief Executive Officer, John Momoh who instituted prize money for athletes who come from North Ibie, a large homogenous group of people found in Okpekpe Clan and the three Ibie Clans of Imiegba, Imiakebu and Itsukwi of Etasko East Local Government Area of of Edo state’.

    Esan also praised the Federal Road Safety Corps and Nigeria Police Force for providing security and adding colour to the whole event.

    ‘The Nigeria Police Force availed us the use of their Helicopters which was used for television recordings as well as transport important dignitaries from Okpekpe to Benin after the race.’

    The Okpekpe race is organised by Pamodzi Sports Marketing,leaders in sports marketing and hospitality business in Nigeria.

    Ethiopans Leul Gebriesialse (29:28) and Gabru Azemra (33:59) emerged the winners of the $15,000 top prize money on offer for the men and women’s race to end Kenya’s two-year domination of the event.

  • DAAR communications supports 2016 indomie independence day awards

    DAAR communications supports 2016 indomie independence day awards

    Dufil Prima Foods Plc, makers of Indomie noodles has announced its strategic partnership with DAAR Communications Plc towards the 2016 Indomie Independence Day Awards for Heroes of Nigeria (IIDA).

    The award is the annual corporate social responsibility initiative of Dufil Prima Foods Plc which is geared towards the recognition of children who have, against all odds, exhibited extraordinary acts of bravery in the face of danger / societal challenges which have sometimes brought them injuries.

    The deal provides IIDA with the opportunity to utilise DAAR Communications Plc platforms – RAYPOWER, AIT and FAAJI FM for guest appearances, news coverage and advert spot booking.

    The agreement will help give the IIDA initiative a wider coverage to the whole wide world, showcasing the extraordinary acts of heroism in Nigerian children.

    In a statement signed by the Chief Marketing Officer, AIT, Mr. Lanre Awoyemi said; “The partnership between Dufil and DAAR Communication Plc is another opportunity for DAAR to contribute to the promotion of accomplishments of children who are young but yet matured, and have shown extraordinary courage and determination in situations that ordinarily would bring fear, discouragement and self-pity to the whole world.”

    He therefore called on children not to soil their innocence, and continue to do well for others as they are the future of the world.

    Also speaking on the partnership, Group Public Relations and Event Manager, Dufil Prima Foods Plc, Mr. Tope Ashiwaju commended management of Daar Communication Plc for their willingness to collaborate with Dufil on this laudable initiative.

    According to Ashiwaju, “There is no doubt that Nigeria is indeed fortunate and blessed to have young people with nature of service and milk of human kindness flowing in them and they indeed need a wider coverage platform to showcase their acts of bravery.”

    He stated further that “Dufil Prima Foods Plc has made it a yearly commitment to connect and reward extra ordinary kids and we will not relent on our effort in making this initiative even bigger with more rewards.”

    “It is part of our core value to touch life and improve the overall well-being of our number one consumer – the kids, by providing a platform that will positively affect every facet of their existence.”

    The award has so far produced a total of 24 winners in the last eight years whom were rewarded with scholarship prizes worth several millions of Naira. This year’s edition has been reformed to fit the newly created three categories – physical bravery, social bravery and Intellectual bravery so as to reward more kids.

  • Edo NUJ condemns mass sack at AIT

    Edo NUJ condemns mass sack at AIT

    The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the sack of 14 workers of DAAR Communications Plc, owners of African Independent Television Authority (AIT) and Ray Power FM.

    The workers at the Benin station of the company were fired on Monday via a letter.

    The management, in a June 2 letter by the Senior Manager in charge of Human Resources, Mr. Victor Okasoga, also advised the affected workers to surrender “company property” in their possession.

    “Failure to surrender company property in your possession may delay the processing of your entitlements,” the letter added.

    But the State NUJ Chairman Rowland Osakwe said the media outfit erred by sacking its workers without fulfilling its financial obligation to them.

    Osakwe said: “It is not a good thing that you enslave labour and, at month’s end, you don’t give them their stipend. You are sacking them and not giving them their cheques.

    “The act is condemnable; it does not even happen in the animal kingdom these days. We are not going to relent. We will write them a letter and ask the management to pay them (the affected workers) their money or we will take a legal step.”

    The Benin Head of Administration of DAAR Communications Plc, Ndah Muhammed, said the decision to lay off the workers was taken by the management at the company’s head office.

    He said: “Please, get in contact with our head office. The sack was not from Benin here; it was from the head office.”

    One of the affected workers, who pleaded not to be named, said the company’s decision was surprising because the workers and management had met over the payment of their outstanding salaries.

    The worker said: “About three weeks ago, workers of DAAR Communications met with the management, reminding it of its promise to pay us. They said we should not worry, that the state government was owing them and that when it (government) paid, the company would pay us our money. We agreed.”

    He added: “Two weeks ago, they called us to a meeting. After talking, they said anybody who was sick and tired should quietly resign and go home. But nobody uttered a word.

    “To our greatest surprise, yesterday (Tuesday), we saw about five Hilux vans of mobile police on our premises. They called us to the Accounts section to collect our letters. They gave us a form to fill to pay us our money. We have filled the form but the money has not been paid to us.”

  • AIT sacks all workers in Edo station

    AIT sacks all workers in Edo station

    The management of the African Independent Television Tuesday relieved all the workers of its station in Benin City of their appointments with immediate effect.

    The management’s decision was conveyed in a letter dated 2-6-16 and signed by Mr Victor Okasoga, Senior Manager in charge of Human Resources.

    In the letter to the affected staff who are being owed salaries for upwards of two years, Okasoga said their appointments have been terminated with effect from June 13 2016. 

    The letter directed those affected to handover all company properties in, “your possession especially your identity cards to the Head of Center.”

    “Failure to surrender company properties in your possession may delay the processing of your entitlements,”the letter added.

    It would be recalled that three weeks ago, the affected workers including reporters, cameramen, presenters and producers protested the undue delays in payment of their salaries running into a year and six months.

  • N150 billion libel suit: AIT apologises to Tinubu

    N150 billion libel suit: AIT apologises to Tinubu

    DAAR Communications, owned by Chief Raymond Dokpesi has tendered an unreserved apology to the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over a documentary aired on African Independent Television (AIT) titled, “Lion of Bourdillon”

    ‎DAAR Communications also opted for an out of court settlement in a N150 billion libel suit filed against the company before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.

    On another hand, Asiwaju Tinubu agreed has also accepted the apology tendered by DAAR Communications as settlement for the libellous documentary.

    Tinubu had instituted the N150 billion suit before the court against Daar Communications Plc, owners of AIT, for airing the documentary‎.

    He said the money represented aggravated and exemplary damages for the libelous documentary.

    He had alleged that the documentary, which started airing on March 1, 2015, was libelous and aimed at tarnishing his image.

    DAAR communications, as defendant/claimant, also filed a counter claim of N200 billion‎ as aggravated, punitive and exemplary damages against the claimant.

    The matter which came before Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe was later referred to ‎Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in December last year.

    At the resumed proceedings Monday, counsel to Dokpesi, Mike Ozekhome (SAN) informed the court of his client’s wish to embrace alternative dispute resolution.

    “My lord, we have come to court today to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Every war that is fought is always settled amicably on a roundtable.

    “Both parties have expressed their desire to settle amicably based on the terms of settlement which the My Lord has been furnished with.

    “We reached the agreement to enable both parties to continue with the good relationship that they have always had. We have driven the devil away with a spiritual “Koboko”, Ozekhome told the court.

    Tinubu’s Counsel, Wole Olanipekun (SAN) also informed the court of his client’s willingness to settle out of court,

    “I align myself with the submissions and sentiments of my learned friend. I can also confirm that the term of settlement which was drawn up on the 29th of January has been accepted by both parties,” Olanipekun said.

    “I also want to appreciate my Lord for her patience all through the duration of the suit. I also appreciate the Claimant who magnanimously agreed to settle out of court,” Olanipekun said.

    The trial judge, Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe adopted the terms of settlement as judgement of the court having acknowledged that it has been filed before the court.

    The terms of agreement adopted as judgement of the court include a retraction of the broadcast by AIT, an apology by AIT which should be aired three times, once daily on AIT, and that the claimant and the defendant shall bear their respective costs in the suit.

    A copy of DAAR Communications apology letter titled, “Retraction and Apology by DAAR communications PLC to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinuby” circulated to journalists stated: “Further to the terms of settlement in suit No: ID/196GCMW/2015 between Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and DAAR Communications Plc filed as a result of the broadcast‎ of a documentary titled, “Lion of Bourdillion” and which terms were adopted at the High Court of Lagos State on 5th February, 2016 as the judgement of the court, the defendant DAAR Communications Plc hereby retracts and apologises to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as follows:

    “Daar Communications Plc, acknowledges that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is an outstanding political leader of unblemished character and integrity, as well as a leading public figure and opinion moulder who has made and continues to make immense, colossal and gargantuan contributions to the progress and development of the nation in general and Lagos State in particular.

    “Daar Communication Plc admits that in airing the said documentary, it had no intention whatsoever to embarrass or diminish the high reputation of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which it respects and attests to.

    “Daar Communications Plc hereby makes a public and unequivocal retraction of the said documentary titled ‘Lion of Bourdilon’, which was broadcast on its television station, AIT.

    “Daar Communications Plc hereby tenders unreserved apology to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the broadcast of the documentary on its television station, AIT.

    “Daar Communications Plc prays that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will live long to make more enormous contributions to the advancement of our nation, Nigeria, Lagos State and the world at large,” the statement read.