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  • ‘How 75 years of China aided FRCN’s stories, global narrative’

    ‘How 75 years of China aided FRCN’s stories, global narrative’

    By Muhammad Bulama

    As we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it is essential to reflect on the remarkable journey China has undertaken. On behalf of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the government and people of China for this historic milestone. China’s development story is nothing short of inspirational, and as I reflect on my recent visit to the country, I am reminded of the importance of shared stories in fostering stronger ties between nations.

    A Personal Journey to China

    In October 2023, I had the distinct honor of accompanying Vice President Kashim Shettima, on an official visit to China. The visit was more than just a diplomatic mission; it was an opportunity to witness firsthand the strides China has made in technology, infrastructure, and international collaboration. From Beijing to Shanghai, what stood out was not just the towering skyscrapers or the state-of-the-art transport systems but the sense of purpose and unity that drives China’s progress.

    Our visit highlighted the ever-growing bond between Africa and China, one built on mutual respect and a shared vision for development. For decades, China has been a reliable partner for Africa, particularly Nigeria. From infrastructure projects to healthcare initiatives, the benefits of this collaboration are visible across the continent. During my stay, I was particularly moved by the commitment to deepening these relationships, with both sides emphasizing the need for more robust people-to-people exchanges.

    Strengthening Media Cooperation

    One of the highlights of this year’s China-Africa Cooperation Forum was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the FRCN and the China Media Group (CMG). This agreement marks a new chapter in the collaboration between our media institutions, setting the stage for significant advancements in media technology, training, and content production. We are at the cusp of a media revolution, and I firmly believe that Nigeria, alongside China, can play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative for a more inclusive and balanced global media landscape.

    This MOU also symbolizes a commitment to mutual learning. Chinese media has made impressive strides in leveraging new technologies to tell their story to the world. Nigeria’s media can learn from this experience, especially in content creation, distribution, and digital transformation. By working together, we can develop a media ecosystem that respects our diverse cultures while promoting shared values of progress and cooperation.

    Yunzhong Jinshu: Finding Stories That Matter

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    The China Media Group’s initiative, Yunzhong Jinshu (meaning “Golden Stories in the Clouds”), is a perfect example of how media can transcend borders. This event seeks to find and record meaningful stories that reflect China’s global impact. African media, including FRCN, has a responsibility to adopt similar initiatives—to document the stories that show our nations’ interconnectedness.

    Yunzhong Jinshu is a testament to how media can shape perceptions and bring people closer. During the event, I saw how stories of individuals, once hidden in the vast expanse of africa Continental, were brought to the forefront. These stories are not only inspiring but serve as bridges connecting diverse cultures. African media can emulate this by focusing on stories of Africans who have benefited from partnerships with China, whether in education, business, or technology.

    Shared Responsibility and Mission

    As we look to the future, African media has a critical role to play in documenting and sharing the stories of Africa’s growth in collaboration with China. Our responsibility extends beyond merely reporting the news; we must be the custodians of our shared histories, ensuring that future generations understand the significance of our ties.

    The shared mission between Nigerian media and CMG is clear: to build a platform that tells authentic stories while embracing technological innovation. The recent advancements in artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and big data provide us with tools to make our storytelling more immersive and impactful. Through these tools, we can bring our stories to the world and challenge the stereotypes that often define African and Chinese narratives in global media.

     Looking Ahead

    As we celebrate China’s 75th anniversary, we must also celebrate the China-Africa friendship that has stood the test of time. Our media collaboration, especially with institutions like CMG, will continue to evolve, allowing us to not only tell our stories but also shape the global narrative. The bonds forged between China and Africa through media cooperation will become even stronger as we continue to learn from one another and innovate together.

    May the stories we continue to share inspire future generations, strengthen our ties, and lead us to even greater achievements.

    •Bulama is the Director General  Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)

  • FEC approves N1.3bn contracts to reposition NAN, NTA, FRCN

    The Federal Government on Wednesday approved N1.3 billion contracts to strengthen and reposition its media outfits for effective information dissemination.

    The media organisations to benefit from the projects include the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigeria Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this when he briefed State House Correspondents on the outcome of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The minister announced the approval of the contracts for the procurement of cameras, television packs and other broadcast equipment at a cost of N283.8 million for the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA).

    He also announced sum of N148.7 million for the procurement of 15 Peugeot vehicles for the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    He added that N873.5 million was approved for the procurement of twelve 10 Kilowatts FM transmitters and three Outside Broadcast Vans for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

    Read also: March 2019 FGN bond auction oversubscribed

    He went further to give the breakdown of the FRCN contracts as N561million for the twelve 10 kilowatts transmitters, and N311 million for the three Outside Broadcast Vans.

    The minister also explained that the upgrade of equipment at the NTA took place more than a decade ago.

    “I also presented three memos today on behalf of three parastatals in my ministry, the NTA, the News Agency of Nigeria and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

    “The memo by the NTA was for an approval for the award of contract for the procurement of cameras, microphones and television pack for a total sum of N283, 813,990.75.

    “It is significant to note that in the last 20 years, only twice that attempts have been made to upgrade the equipment of the NTA.

    “The first attempt was in 1999 during the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the last was in 2009 when Nigeria hosted the FIFA Under-17 World Cup

    “So also the News Agency of Nigeria also presented their memo. But, here largely they wanted vehicles to them move to gather and disseminate news.

    “So, the contract for the procurement of 15 vehicles from Peugeot Nigeria ltd was awarded to them for N148, 740,900,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • Man who jumped into Lagos lagoon identified as FRCN staff

    The man who got drown after he reportedly jumped into the lagoon in Lagos on Friday has been identified as a staff of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

    A staff of FRCN, who pleaded anonymity, said that the deceased was a driver attached to an Assistant Director in charge of Information Communication Technology unit of the corporation.

    The source said that the deceased was newly posted from the FRCN Training School located in Shogunle to the Broadcasting House in Ikoyi, Lagos

    The source, however, described him as a gentleman.

    Tunji Disu, Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), told NAN that his men got to the scene almost immediately and invited marine police and local divers who recovered the corpse from the lagoon.

    “The deceased parked the vehicle he was driving on the Third Mainland Bridge and told other occupants of the vehicle that he wanted to urinate

    Read Also: Man admits using bottle to tear another’s face

    “The occupants were shocked as he dived into the lagoon,” said RSS Commander, Disu, Assistant Commissioner of Police. RRS had earlier tweeted on its tweeter handle @rrslagos767: “A man has jumped into the Lagoon from 3rd Mainland Bridge.

    “RRS riders got to the scene almost immediately and radioed for assistance from the Marine Police, LASG rescue Boats & local divers who recovered the corpse.

    “The remains have been taken to Ebute Ero division.’’

    NAN recalls that on Oct. 3, 2018, a middle-aged man drowned after reportedly jumping into the lagoon from the Third Mainland Bridge inwards Lagos Island.

  • Suspected hoodlums invade FRCN

    Scores of suspected thugs and hoodlums yesterday invaded the premises of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), ldofian in Kwara.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the suspects stormed the premises during the weekly political programme, sponsored by the state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Commissioner of Police Alhaji Lawan Ado told NAN in llorin that the command swung into action after receiving a distress call on the arrival of the suspects at the station.

    He said the suspected thugs took to their heels before the arrival of policemen.

    Spokesperson of the Police Command Mr Samuel Okasanmi, however, said that no violence was unleashed, as the hoodlums ran away before arrival of the police.

    He said the command was investigating those behind the incident as well as keeping vigil on the station to ensure safety of life and property.

    PDP State Publicity Secretary Rex Olawoye, while speaking with NAN on the incident, said the suspected hoodlums were after him and other PDP members participating in the programme.

    Olawoye said the hoodlums fired several gunshots into the air and ran away before the arrival of the police.

    Efforts made by NAN to speak with the spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Sulyman Buhari, on the development, proved abortive.

  • Senate lists BPE, NAMA, NPA, others for submission of budget estimates

    Senate lists BPE, NAMA, NPA, others for submission of budget estimates

    The Senate has listed several federal government agencies expected to submit their 2017 budget proposals to the upper legislative chamber for consideration.

    The agencies are the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASEI), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), National Maritime Authority (NMA) and Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC).

    Others are the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Nigerian Postal Service (NPS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), National Communications Commission (NCC), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

    Also expected to submit their estimates are the National Insurance Commission (NIC), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Copyrights Commission (NCC), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

    Others are the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB), Federal Mortgage Bank (FMB), National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority (OGZFA).

  • FRCN has taken measures to end recession, says Obazee

    FRCN has taken measures to end recession, says Obazee

    The Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) has taken some recuperating measures to end the current recession facing the economy, Mr. Jim Obazee, the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of FRC has said.

    He gave this hint over the weekend while giving his welcome address at the 13th Annual Corporate Financial Reporting Summit and Dinner in Lagos.

    Contrary to insinuations in some quarters that the National Code of Corporate Governance (NCCG) by the FRC is the cause of, or capable of creating a recession, impeding the ease of doing business and/or decreasing foreign direct investments, Obazee said this is not so.

    According to him, “When one fails to deal with issues as at when due, the signals by themselves start talking. Recession is occasioned from multiplicity of influences and at the very base of the root cause of recession are monetary authorities.”

    The FRC boss, who revealed that monetary authorities usually raise interest rates if they think that the rate at which the economy is growing is capable of raising the level of inflation, stressed that costlier credit will eventually force businesses and consumers to curb their spending.

    Specifically, he said, the FRC through the NCCG has the capacity to build confidence that can assist the economy’s normal recuperative mechanism to engage.

    Pressed further, he said: “The Nigerian economy would no doubt benefit extensively from the NCCG through its demand for enhanced transparency and accountability in financial reporting resulting from better disclosures in financial statements and mandatory corporate codes that speaks to how covenants are taken seriously in Nigeria.”

    The summit tagged: National Code of Corporate Governance and New Audit Report: A Paradigm Shift, it attracted players from the financial and banking subsectors, among others.

    Speaking earlier, Chief Olusegun Oshunkeye, who chaired the occasion, said there was need for professionals at across the sectors to adhere to the ethics of corporate governance to engender a better society.

    In a goodwill message, the former chairman of FRC, Hajia Maryam Ibrahim, who was represented by Mr. Tayo Orekoya impressed on the board and management of the Council to remain true to its conviction as a regular in order to ensure the strict adherence to the ethics and principles of good corporate governance at all times.

  • Shareholders fault FRCN’s governance code

    Shareholders have described the National Code of Corporate Governance for the Private Sector issued by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) as unnecessary and duplicitous, warning that the code could be counterproductive to national economic development.

    Shareholders under the aegis of Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) stated that the code bordered on over-regulation of the nation’s corporate world, particularly the financial industry. Shareholders also noted that the code also suffers from noticeable contradictions and conflict with the subsisting Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA).

    According to the shareholders, the FRCN’s code could suffocate entrepreneurial aspirations and initiatives of Nigerians and persons seeking to establish business in the country. Citing the provision of the code that companies shall have not less than five directors, the shareholders said such provision was unnecessarily expansionary and costly for micro small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs), which are the engines of the nation’s economy.

    Already, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a subsisting code of corporate governance that applies to all public limited liability companies. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial regulators also have sectoral codes and rules that guide operations and corporate governance in their sectors.

    “There are also identified provisions of the code which directly conflict with existing laws governing certain sectors, which FRCN has included in the code all in a bid to elevate itself to another super-regulator over and above existing sectoral regulators for some companies,” ISAN stated.

    While identifying possible contradictions in the FRCN code, the shareholders’ group charged FRCN to lead by example by constituting its board in line with its new corporate governance code in order to justify the enforcement and sanction regime in the new code.

    ISAN listed grew areas in the code to include provisions that allow executive directors of the companies to be appointed board members of another company or companies, the time frame provided or “cool off period” before former executive director can be appointed chairman of the same company he served, engagement of two auditing firms and board size.

    The shareholders pointed out that the appointment of substantive executive directors into boards of other companies as contained in the FRCN code breached the whole essence of internationally accepted corporate governance and best practices.

    The Sunny Nwosu-led group noted that the prescribed 10 years “cool-off period” before former chief executive can assume the position of chairman in the same company amounts to serious setback in utilisation of limited experts, managerial proficiencies and scarce human capital resources.

    The minority retail shareholders said a major lacuna and breach of the law has been triggered with the provision of article 5.4 of the new code on the size of the board, noting that while FRCN’s code provides a minimum of eight board members for companies, the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) provides for minimum of two directors.

  • Nitel/Mtel’s creditors report liquidator to FRCN, PACAC

    Creditors have dragged the appointed liquidator for Nitel/Mtel, Otunba Olutola Senbore, before the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRC) and the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC).

    In a petition, signed by a representative of the creditors, Mr. Sebagen Henry Noboh and dated October 20 this year, the complainants decried what they considered lack of accountability in the payment of their claims.

    According to them, the Liquidator has paid only 16.5 per cent of the amount stated in his offer letters to individual creditors, leaving a balance of 83.5 per cent unaccounted for. The offer letters, dated May 12, last year were personally signed by the Liquidator.

    They added that the 16.5 per cent was paid to them in two installments of 15 per cent in May 2015; and 1.5 per cent in July this year, an interval of 14 months.

    At issue is the N51, 648, 643, 000 proceeds from the sale of the core assets of Nitel/Mtel to Natcom Consortium for $252.25 million by the last administration.

    The Consortium had fully paid up since March 2015, but the creditors are still struggling to get their money from the Liquidator, more than 18 months after he received the money.

  • Defamation: Jigawa TV boss tenders apology to FRCN, ex-NTA DGs, others

    The Managing Director of Jigawa State Television (JTV), Alhaji Ishak Hadejia, yesterday tendered a public apology over his comments against the current Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), two former Director Generals (DGs) of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and other media practitioners following a defamation suit slammed against him.

    The defamation suit was filed by the FRCN DG, his former NTA counterparts, three former information commissioners and prominent media gurus that served at the Jigawa State Television under Sule Lamido’s government.

    The plaintiffs claim N11 million as damages.

    The aggrieved media practitioners are the present DG of FRCN, Alhaji Ishak Moddibo Kawu, ex-DGs of NTA, Chief Tony Iredia and Muhammad Ibrahim, a Professor of Mass Communication, Umar Pate, former Information Commissioners of Kano and Jigawa, Alhaji Babandi Ibrahim, Alhaji Ahmed Aminu and Alhaji Adamu Aliyu Kiyawa, a veteran broadcaster, Mr Timawus Mathias, Zainab Okino and former Managing Director of Jigawa State Radio Corporation, Alhaji Sabo Abdullahi Guri.

    Hadejia tendered his apology during a press briefing held in his office.

    He said: “I, Ishak Hadejia, the Managing Director of the Jigawa State Television, hereby withdraw my earlier press statement where I accused the former management of this station (JTV), under the chairmanship of Muhammed Ibrahim, for misappropriating the sum of N136 million for setting up of the station.”

    He added: “It was a mistake. As a human being, it is natural to make a mistake. I regret all the embarrassment and damages that the accusation against these prominent people and their family, friends and relatives.”

    When contacted, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Barrister Gausu Ahmed, who witnessed the press briefing declined to comment on the matter. He said: “My comment can be preemptive of the judicial process.”

    It was learnt that Hadejia held a press conference in September, 2015 immediately after he was appointed and sworn-in as the new boss of the state-owned television station, wherein he alleged that the former management of the station led by the former Director General of NTA, Alhaji Ibrahim, misappropriated over N136 million released by former governor, Sule Lamido’s administration.

    Hadejia’s public apology was part of the agreement reached for an out-of-court settlement brokered by the state government and prominent indigenes of the state.

     

  • Stanbic IBTC urges court to dismiss FRC’s objections

    Stanbic IBTC urges court to dismiss FRC’s objections

    Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc Tuesday urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss objections by the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN) against its suit.

    The plaintiff said the objections were like “a storm in a tea cup”.

    The plaintiff said FRC, since August 3, had been investigating its audited accounts for the year ended December 2014.

    The investigations concern liabilities accrued in the plaintiff’s 2014 accounts in respect of franchise fees owed to Standard Bank of South Africa, the registration of which it said has been pending before the National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP) since 2011.

    The plaintiff said FRC labelled the franchise agreement as illegal, and invited IBTC Holdings’ Chief Executive Officers to appear before it.

    Following a meeting on October 16, the council informed the plaintiff that it committed criminal offences and that it would be reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

    FRC then asked the entire Stanbic IBTC board to meet with the council to know the extent of the board involvement in the matter.

    Stanbic IBTC sued, praying the court to determine whether FRC acted beyond its powers.

    It also sought a declaration that failure to register a “registrable” agreement under the NOTAP Act is not a criminal offence.

    Arguing FRC’s objections Tuesday, its lawyer Olusina Sofola (SAN) said IBTC did not comply with Section 66 (3) of the FRC Act which states that anyone dissatisfied with any decision should appeal to its Technical Committee.

    “All the internal remedies must be exhausted, which they have not done here,” he said, urging the court to strike out the suit on that basis.

    Besides, Sofola said Stanbic IBTC was seeking to review FRC’s decisions; therefore they should have brought an application for a judicial review, which renders the plaintiff’s originating summons incompetent.

    The lawyer said the bank should have sued the Minister of Trade who made the regulations on the basis of which sanctions were imposed on the plaintiff, not FRC who merely implemented them.

    But Stanbic IBTC’s lawyer, Prof Fidelis Oditah (SAN) said the plaintiff did not need to join the minister.

    “We don’t accept that the minister should be joined. The presence of the minister is not required to determine the questions of law raised. We urge the court to dismiss the objection for being a storm in a tea cup,” he said.

    According to him, the objections were “all hopeless” and should be dismissed.

    The plaintiff, in its originating summons, is asking the court to determine among others whether FRC has the power to impose a fine of N1 billion on it.

    FRC had sanctioned Stanbic IBTC over its audited accounts for 2013 and 2014.

    It suspended the Financial Reporting Numbers of the bank’s chairman, Mr. Atedo Peterside, and its chief executive, Mrs. Sola David-Borha.

    It also barred them from vouching for the integrity of any financial statements in Nigeria.

    It based its sanctions on issues raised by the bank’s minority shareholders led by the Mahtani brothers who own the Churchgate conglomerate, to some other regulatory agencies such as NOTAP, SEC and CBN, among others.

    In its Originating Summons, Stanbic IBTC sought a declaration that failure to register an agreement under the NOTAP Act is not a criminal offence.

    It prayed the court to hold that failure to register an agreement under the NOTAP Act does not render the contract illegal and unenforceable or render it null and void.

    It also sought a declaration that the effect of non-registration of an agreement under the NOTAP Act is as stated in section 7 of the NOTAP Act, namely to prevent payment or remittance of money to any person outside Nigeria in respect of the unregistered agreement.

    It sought a declaration that FRC has no power to dictate to a public interest entity the types of commercial agreements that it may enter into in the conduct of its business.

    Justice Buba adjourned till Monday for judgment.