Executive Chairman of Isoko North Local Government Area of Delta State, Emmanuel Egbabor, has secured the approval of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to establish Isoko Radio which will be the first radio station to be established by a local government in Nigeria.

The NBC approval was contained in a letter dated August 7, 2015 and signed by Alheri Saidu, Acting Secretary of the commission on behalf of the Director-General which was addressed to the local government Chairman and reads in part: ‘Re: Your Application for a Broadcast Licence’: “Your letter dated 20th November, 2014 in respect of the above mentioned subject matter refers;

“I am directed to inform you that the National Broadcasting Commission has approved for your Council to purchase an application form for the purpose of applying for Low Power FM Radio Licence to operate an FM Radio Broadcast in Isoko with only Isoko towns as coverage area.”

An elated Egbabor, who spoke to journalists shortly after receiving the letter said the establishment of the radio station was part of his dream for a united and prosperous Isoko nation.

“We intend to establish the radio station under the PPP model so that we can bring in investors and experts to invest and manage it to enable it outlive our administration,” he said.

According to him, the station will serve a wide range of Isoko communities, targeting diverse audiences from rural to inner city areas with content ranging from community news and information to religious issues, experimental music, health and agriculture matters.

In addition to providing unique content, the radio station will deliver wide benefits to people in the area under coverage.

Among the range of benefit is offering training and work experience opportunities, contributions to local education and providing a voice to those, such as older people or speakers of minority languages, who may find it harder to access the national media.

Update news