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Tag: NBC

  • Broadcast stations indebtedness to NBC hits N5b

    Broadcast stations indebtedness to NBC hits N5b

    •Kawu decry subversive foreign broadcasts

    roadcast stations are indebted to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to the tune of N5 billion, its Director-General Mallam Ishaq Modibo Kawu said yesterday.

    Kawu, whospoke to reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, said the commission is planning to sanction the stations for failing to meet their financial obligations.

    The NBC boss traced the development to the way the previous administration allowed politicians to pressure the commission from enforcing the payment of licensing fees.

    He said one individual alone owes the commission about N750 million.

    “They owe us a lot of money, about N5 billion. They are negotiating with us along with the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and we have given them a three-month grace because our patience is not limitless.

    “It will get to a time when we will have to close many stations in Nigeria, not because of what they say, but for not paying our fees. But I would like to remind our colleagues that every radio and television licence is actually a provisional licence; meaning that it can be withdrawn any moment; nobody owns a licence permanently.”

    Kawu raised the alarm over subversive broadcasting coming into Nigeria from outside the country.

    He said the agency is facing a major hurdle in regulating such subversive broadcast.

    He cited the example of a television station being run by the pro-Biafra group, IPOB, which is being broadcast from outside Nigeria and which the commission has so far been unable to trace and block.

    The NBC boss also raised the alarm over the importation of mobile transmitters into the country, which, he said, are often hidden in suitcases because of their sizes to deceive security operatives.

    Kawu, who lamented the high rate of hate speech on several airwaves,blamed the trend on erosion of professional values among broadcasters and the removal of history from the curriculum of Nigerian schools.

    According to him,”the situation has raised a lot of young people who are ignorant about the past”.

    “We face a major difficulty in trying to regulate what people broadcast. Most people on air think that the more outlandish claim they make on air, the more popular they become. Radio is such a responsible medium that should not be abused.

    “Another problem we face is the use of the airwaves of Nigeria for subversive activities. For instance, Biafra radio hops around. We were jamming some of the frequencies because we have the facilities to do so. But then, there are a lot of mobile transmitters that are being brought into the country. Even people in government, even people in security might not understand that these are mobile transmitters because they can be inside a suitcase and people are using it to say all kinds of things.

    “Last week, I was in the office of the Inspector General of Police and they had a TV screen and what was being broadcast was Biafra TV; they were saying some of the most outlandish things, they were showing videos from the 1960s, and they were abusing everyone. Now, this is happening and they were asking us (NBC) and they would ask us, because our duty is to monitor and regulate such.

    “But it was not coming from within Nigeria; it was from asatellite. Our engineers have been making contacts with the international satellite organisation that broadcasts to Africa about the fact that you cannot allow subversive broadcast into Nigeria from other parts of the world.

    “Last June, Boko Haram was starting a new radio station, I think on 91.00 megahertz on the FM band from the border between Nigeria and the Republic of Cameroun and so it was our duty to inform the security organisations that it was happening. So, they could take it up and which they did eventually,” he stated.

  • CPC commences investigation of Fanta and Sprite as NBC’s assure consumers

    The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has instituted an investigation into the safety of addictives in Nigerian Bottling Company’s Fanta and Sprite with a view to safeguarding consumers.

    The Council’s action came on the heels of a recent court judgment which alleged that consumption of Fanta and Sprite, two products of Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC), could be harmful if taken with Vitamin C, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has instituted an investigation into the issue with a view to safeguarding consumers.

    Announcing the Council’s position to the media on Thursday, CPC’s Director General, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, pointed out that the investigation became inevitable in view of the safety issue raised by the judgment.

    Mrs. Atoki  stated that the Council “is keenly interested and extremely concerned about the questions that have arisen from, and on account of this judgement”, adding that “as such upon the discoveries therein, the CPC is launching a broad and detailed investigation as a matter of urgency”.

    The director general hinted that the key questions in the investigation would include “Is Sprite/Fanta at the time of production potentially harmful to consumers when consumed with Vitamin C? If yes, what is NBC’s obligation to consumers and has NBC fully discharged that obligation?”, adding that “pursuant to the Consumer Protection Council Act, the Council is interested in discovering what steps if any, NBC took after the testing and confiscation of Fanta and Sprite by the United Kingdom’s authorities”.

    While fielding questions from journalists at the press conference, Mrs. Atoki asserted that it would be hasty for CPC to make any categorical directive to consumers on the products without carrying out the necessary investigations.

    She disclosed that the Council had already engaged NBC in furtherance of the investigation, stating that the bottling company has been given seven days to respond to “us because we asked them for a lot of documentation.

    “We want to be free and fair. We do not want to base our decisions on what someone else has analysed. We have given them seven days within which to provide this information. And let me say that this will also involve us inviting experts to testify as to the various components and the effect on the consumers” Mrs. Atoki stated.

    On the time frame for the investigation, she said: “To say that it will take two to three weeks or even a month, I may not be able to say so, but because of the urgency, we will fast track all the processes and come to a very quick conclusion”.

    Meanwhile, NBC has allayed concerns over benzoic acid in soft drinks.

    According to the company in a statement, it said there has been some misleading information on the saftey of benzoic and ascorbic acids as ingredients in soft drinks.in some Media reports.

    “In the judgement delivered on February 15, 2017 in a suit involving Fijabi Adebo Holdings Limited & Dr. Emmanuel Fijabi Adebo v. Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC) & National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Lagos High Court dismissed all claims against NBC and held that the company had not breached its duty of care to consumers and that there was no proven case of negligence against it”stated the Soft drink company.”

    NBC also noted in the same Statement that. “In the same judgement, the court directed NAFDAC to mandate NBC to include a warning on its bottles of Fanta and Sprite that its contents cannot be taken with Vitamin C as same become poisonous if taken with Vitamin C. This order was premised on the fact that the products contain the preservative, benzoic acid. NBC has since appealed this order.

    The Soft Drint Company further stated that the wrong perception emanating from the media reports that “our Fanta and Sprite beverages which are fully compliant with all national and international food quality and safety standards are unsafe, simply because their levels of Benzoic acid were not within the UK standards, is not only unfounded but also undermines the entire food and beverage industry in Nigeria which is regulated by the same ingredient levels approved by NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies for the country”.The company assured consumers and members of the public of their unwavering commitment to product quality, safety and customer satisfaction.

  • Court judgment on Fanta, Sprite begins investigation – CPC

    Court judgment on Fanta, Sprite begins investigation – CPC

    The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) has launched a detailed investigation into the alleged danger of mixing Fanta or Sprite with Vitamin C.

    CPC’s Director-General, Mrs Dupe Atoki, announced this in Abuja on Thursday.

    “The Consumer Protection Council is keenly interested and extremely concerned about the questions that have arisen from and on account of this judgement.

    “As such, the discoveries therein the CPC is launching a broad and detailed investigation as a matter of urgency.

    ‘’Indeed the judgement only serves as a subject of bringing this information to the CPC’s attention. The council would conduct its own investigation separately.’’

    According to her, the CPC was interested because Fanta, Sprite and Coca Cola are the most widely consumed beverages in Nigeria.

    Atoki said that the investigation was also hinged on the fact that vitamin C was one of the most consumed medications for both children and adults in the country.

    She said that the NBC products and vitamin C were routinely consumed in Nigeria with no restrictions to access and availability.

    According to her, the council would ask key questions such as: “Is Sprite and Fanta at the time of production potentially harmful to consumers when consumed with vitamin C?

    “If yes, what is NBC’s obligation to consumers and has NBC fully discharge the obligation?

    According to her, Pursuant to the CPC Act, the council is interested in discovering what steps NBC took after the testing and confiscation of Fanta and Sprite by the UK authorities.

    Atoki said that CPC had written to NBC to provide certain information to enable it conduct its own investigation on the matter not later than Thursday March 23, 2017.

    She said that it was not the duty of NBC to tell Nigerians that their product was okay for consumption.

    A Lagos state High Court has awarded a N2 million cost against NAFDAC for failing Nigerians by certifying Fanta and Sprite fit for human consumption even after the drinks were declared unfit for human consumption in the UK.

    The court also ordered NAFDAC to direct the NBC Plc to include a warning on the bottles of the product that its content cannot be taken with Vitamin C.

     

  • Fanta, Sprite with Vitamin C not poisonous- NBC

    Fanta, Sprite with Vitamin C not poisonous- NBC

    The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Limited has faulted claims that its products, Fanta and Sprite when taken with Vitamins C are poisonous.

    In a statement by its Management, the company said information on the safety of benzoic and ascorbic acids as ingredients in soft drinks, citing a Lagos High Court order is misleading.

    “ Given the fact that the benzoic and ascorbic acid levels in Fanta as well as the benzoic acid level in Sprite produced and sold by NBC in Nigeria are in compliance with the levels approved by all relevant national regulators and the international level set by CODEX, there is no truth in the report that these products would become poisonous if consumed alongside Vitamin C.

    “ The wrong perception emanating from the media reports that our Fanta and Sprite beverages which are fully compliant with all national and international food quality and safety standards are unsafe, simply because their levels of Benzoic acid were not within the UK standards, is not only unfounded but also undermines the entire food and beverage industry in Nigeria which is regulated by the same ingredient levels approved by NAFDAC and other regulatory bodies for the country,” NBC stated.

    While stating that it has already appealed against the court judgement, the company assured our consumers and members of the public of its unwavering commitment to product quality, safety and customer satisfaction.

  • NBC revokes 54 radio/TV licences

    NBC revokes 54 radio/TV licences

    Fifty four broadcast licences have been revoked.
    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) revoked the licences because fees were not paid within the mandatory 60-day window.
    NBC Director General Is-haq Modibbo, who stated this yesterday added that 120 licences that were paid for but which did not go on air within the mandatory two-year period are soon to be cancelled.
    Modibbo, who addressed a news conference in Abuja, gave a deadline of end of this month to stations owing the commission a cumulative amount of N5 billion, to pay up their fees or lose their licences.
    He said: “Over the past two weeks, I gave a directive that the licences of 54 companies that were issued licences but had refused to pay their fees within the mandatory 60-day window,be revoked.
    “Those licences are revoked. There is another list of over 120 licenses that were paid for within the mandatory period but were unable to come on air, within the mandatory two years; they are also being processed for revocation. And they will be revoked! Frequencies cannot be held indefinitely by individuals.
    “At our stakeholders’ conference with broadcast organisations, I informed stations of a persistent pattern of refusal to pay licence fees. Stations around Nigeria owe the NBC over N5 billion. Even the statutory act of informing NBC, six months before expiration of licenses and signification of intention to continue as licensees is willfully ignored by stations.
    “License fees are in arrears; there is no plan by many of these stations to pay; while some even have the temerity to write NBC, the regulatory institution, that the amount they are obliged to pay is too much, consequently, they then tell us how much they are willing to pay, and even adding the time they are going to pay such sums that they have decided to pay.”
    He warned that cases where some private station owners use political connections with the top most political leadership in the past to get illegal and undue favours that run contrary to the NBC Act and the Nigeria Broadcasting Code would no longer be condoned.
    “We are delighted that Nigerians are investing in setting up radio and television stations; they create jobs; open up accesses for content producers to showcase talents and are contributing to national development. But no one has a right to hold on to allocated frequencies indefinitely, when the resource itself is finite and there are other people waiting and ready to make use of those frequencies,” he said.
    He said June 2017 deadline remained sacrosanct on Digital Switch Over (DSO).
    On Digital Switch Over (DSO) launched on December 22, 2016, Kawu said 251, 447 STBs were sold in Abuja.
    “In the same period, 145, 357 boxes were activated; our call center received a total of 325, 028 calls in the same period.
    “The next phase is our plan for the six states that we have chosen to switch on. As I address you today, Pinnacle Communications Limited has commenced the installation of the facilities for Kaduna. I was there to inspect the work being done at the weekend.
    “Our colleagues can go to the site on Rabah Road, in Kaduna to verify that work is advancing very rapidly there. They have also concluded plans for Delta and Gombe states, while the second signal distributor, ITS, will similarly mobilise into Kwara, Enugu and Osun states,” he added.

  • NBC gives Channels, STV, DAAR two-week ultimatum to pay N1.676b debts

    NBC gives Channels, STV, DAAR two-week ultimatum to pay N1.676b debts

    THE National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) may revoke the operating licences of three broadcast stations – Channels Television, Silverbird Communications Limited and DAAR Communication Plc – over N1.676 billion debts.
    The three TV stations have been given a two-week deadline to pay up.
    The NBC has also accused the companies of failure to furnish it with their annual audited accounts.
    The media organisations also risk sanctions for allegedly refusing to remit 1.5 per cent of their annual income as stipulated by the NBC Act.
    The two-week deadline was conveyed to the stations in separate letters on February 13 and 17, 2017.
    The letter, signed by the NBC Director-General, Mr. Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, gives the breakdown of the debts as follows: Channels Incorporated Limited (N442,907,000); DAAR Communication Plc (N500 million) and Silverbird Communications Limited (N733,650,793).
    Although a February 13, 2017 letter appreciated the efforts of Channels Incorporated Limited to fulfill its obligations, the NBC nonetheless said it had outstanding liability of N442,907,000.
    The NBC wrote: “I write to acknowledge the receipt N25 million being part-payment of Licence Renewal fee for the Direct-To-Home (DTH) licence granted to your company for another term of five years from December 16, 2016 – December 16, 2021.”
    ”The commission notes that only part-payment of the licence fee in the sum of N150 million has been paid, leaving a balance of N350 million, which the company in its previous letter dated 26th February, 2015 had given a commitment to pay within 12 months but has failed to do so till date”.
    ”Finally, the commission has observed that Channels incorporated Limited has not remitted the sum of Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira being 105% of its annual statutory levy on income for 2009 – 2010 or forward its annual audited accounts for the subsequent years of 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively, to enable the commission compute the amount due for these years.
    ”In view of the above, the company is hereby directed to comply with the following”
    (a) Pay the sum of N25 million being balance of licence renewal fee for its Direct-To-Home (DTH) Broadcast licence.
    (b) Pay the sum of N350 million being outstanding licence fee for the News Thematic Terrestrial Television Broadcast Licence (Superstation).
    (c) Pay the sum of Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Seven Thousand, Two Hundred and Sixty Eight Naira being outstanding amount computed as 1.5 per cent of annual levy on income for 2009 – 2010.
    (d) Forward to the commission certified copies of its annual audited accounts for 2011 – 2016 to enable the commission compute the amount due as 1.5 per cent and convey to the company to remit the amount due.”
    The NBC said DAAR Communication Plc is owing about N500 million.
    A letter by its D-G said: “Please recall the provisional approval for a National Network Broadcast Service Licence (Radio/Television) granted to your company for an initial term of five years from September 07, 2010 – September 07, 2015 and the subsequent correspondence/meetings between the company and the commission on the issue.
    “The National Broadcasting Commission has observed that the initial five years of the licence has lapsed since September 07, 2015 but your company has not indicated any interest in renewing the licence as stipulated by the NBC ACT, CAP. N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004 but have continued operations till date without a valid licence for the purpose.
    “Furthermore, the commission has observed that your company has not been furnishing the commission with its annual audited accounts or remitting 1.5 per cent of annual income therein as stipulated by the NBC ACT.
    “In view of the above, I am directed to request you to:
    “Pay Licence Renewal fee for another term of five years in the sum of N500,000,000 only, for the period September 7, 2015 – September 6, 2020.
    “ Forward to the commission certified copies of your annual audited accounts for the period; 2010 – 2015 to enable the commission compute the amount due as 1.5 per cent of annual levy on income for each year and convey to the company to remit.
    “Forward to the commission certified copies of your annual audited accounts for the period ; 2010 – 2015 to enable the commission compute the amount due as 1.5 per cent of annual levy on income of each year and convey to the company to remit.”
    The letter by NBC to Silverbird Communications Limited, puts its debt at N733.6 million.
    The NBC wrote: “Please recall the provisional approval granted by the National Broadcasting Commission to your company for a National Network Broadcast Service Licence (Radio/Television) for an initial term of five years from March 10, 2011 – March 01,2016   and the subsequent correspondence/ meetings between your company and the commission, especially regarding payment of licence fee.
    “ The commission notes that the initial term of five years for the licence has lapsed since March 01, 2016; with an outstanding licence fee of N233,650,793.00 only unpaid.”

  • NBC promotes creativity among Nigerian youths

    NBC promotes creativity among Nigerian youths

    With the aim of driving creativity and engagement among Nigerian youths, The Nigerian Bottling Company Limited (NBC), in conjunction with the School of Arts, Design and Printing of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, recently organised the second edition of its Coca-Cola Bottle Competition.

    The contest required individuals or groups to develop 3-dimensional artworks out of empty Coca-Cola 35cl or 50cl glass bottles.

    At the recent exhibition and grand finale of the competition held at the college, NBC celebrated the First Prize winners, Kaffo Abdulwarith, Dadde Daniels, Phillip Obafemi and Festus Ajimo for their art genius in putting together the winning artwork: ‘A guitar boy made from empty Coca-Cola bottles’.

    Two other creative works, the first, a standing mirror designed with empty bottles and the second, a giant Coca-Cola bottle, emerged the second and third place winners respectively.

    Speaking at the grand finale, the Legal, Public Affairs and Communications Director of the beverage company, Mrs. Sade Morgan, described NBC’s Coca-Cola Glass Bottle Competition as one of the many ways NBC is driving youth engagement within the academic environment and also creating an opportunity for them to discover and demonstrate their hidden creative abilities to produce masterpieces in art.

    Also, in commemoration of its 65th anniversary, NBC commissioned six renowned Nigerian artists to produce a Limited Edition of ‘6+5’ Coca-Cola bottle signature artworks, which were auctioned at NBC’s 65th Anniversary Cocktail reception held recently, and the funds donated to support some selected charity homes.

    The artists commissioned include Sam Ovraiti, famously known as Nigeria’s most expressive water colourist, Ada Godspower, a practising artist and painter, who hails from Benin City, Edo State, Soji Yoloye, a prolific and accomplished multi-talented Nigerian artist and painter, Osun State-born Babalola Lawson and Kesa Babatunde.

    Speaking further on the motive behind the commissioning of the works, Morgan noted that NBC’s focus on the support and development of art in Nigeria is predicated on the understanding that the country’s rapidly evolving economy demands a dynamic and creative workforce.

    “Arts and its related businesses of cultural exports for this country have long been a strong source of revenue and thus it is imperative that we, and not just NBC as a company, but other corporate entities, continue to support the arts and arts education in our nation.

    “With the engagement of art as a vital tool by a corporate organisation of this size and stature, it is hoped that government at all levels and other corporate institutions, as well as individuals, will recognise the role art plays in our society. This is essentially because the value of art and culture cannot be overlooked going by its overreaching impact on the economy, health, well-being, society and education/history of any given country if well harnessed,” she said.

  • Fed Govt directs NBC to probe Big Brother Nigeria controversy

    Fed Govt directs NBC to probe Big Brother Nigeria controversy

    THE Federal Government has waded into the controversy surrounding the shooting of the Big Brother Nigeria Reality show in South Africa.
    Minister of Information and Culture Alhaji Lai Mohammed yesterday directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting of the reality programme outside the country.
    NBC, according to a statement signed by one of the aides to the minister, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, is to also determine whether the action of MultiChoice, owners of the programme, contravenes any of the country’s law.
    The statement reads: “The Minister of Information and Culture has directed the NBC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the reported shooting in South Africa of the ongoing Big Brother Nigeria Reality Show.
    “The minister said the NBC should determine whether MultiChoice, by shooting the show in South Africa, has breached the Nigerian Broadcasting Code in any way, as well as the issue of possible deceit, since the viewing public was never told that the event would be staged outside Nigeria.
    “As a country of laws, only the outcome of the investigation will determine our next line of action.”
    Mohammed said while concerned Nigerians have bombarded his office with calls to complain about what they regard as an anomaly, they should remain calm while the NBC investigates the issue and submits its findings.

  • FG directs NBC to investigate BBN controversy

    FG directs NBC to investigate BBN controversy

    Following the backlash by Nigerians against the shooting the ongoing Big Brother Naija Reality TV show in South Africa instead of in Nigeria, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to investigate the circumstances that necessitated such action.

    In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, Alhaji Mohammed asked the NBC to determine whether MultiChoice, by shooting the show in South Africa, has breached the Nigerian Broadcasting Code in any way, or if the company deceived the viewing public as they were not told that the event would be staged outside Nigeria.

    ”As a country of laws, only the outcome of the investigation will determine our next line of action,” he said.

    Alhaji Mohammed said while concerned Nigerians have bombarded his office with calls to complain about what they regard as an anomaly (of shooting outside the country a show meant for Nigerians), he urged Nigerians to remain calm while the NBC investigates the issue and submits its findings.

  • Nigeria’ll meet 2017 digitalisation date —NBC

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has assured Nigeians that the country would not miss out on the 2017 deadline for the Digital Switchover (DSO).

    NBC Director General, Mr Modibbo Kawu, said that the fund would not be a problem, as President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to release the N10 billion recovered loot to the commission.

    The fund was part of the proceeds from the sales of spectrum made by the past administration which was diverted.

    He made the disclosure yesterday while briefing Journalists in Abuja on the forthcoming International Conference for African Broadcasters (AFRICAST) which is expected to be attended by more than 700 people from the continent.

    Kawu noted the agency is already processing the release of the money, which he said will be committed into the country’s digitalisation process.

    He said: “President Muhammed Buhari has gracious approved that the N10 billion be returned to NBC so that we can use it for digital transmission process. The money will be used as part of what we have being dong so far. I would not be letting out the secret if I tell you that money that was taken from the account of NBC into the EFCC recovery account.”

    He also assured that going by the level of work, the country would meet up with the Digital Switch Over (DSO) 2017 deadline. “I am optimistic that we are going to achieve the 2016 digital switch over deadline. Two or three weeks ago, the president was in United Nations when he met the captains of American industry.