20 July 2018
Yesterday, I took out time to write about the rise in private radio stations in Cross River under the administration of Governor Ben Ayade and while I think he deserves some accolades. I also, reflected in the article that it was alleged that although he has allowed four stations to function, one which is regarded as the best was shutdown by the government for no justifiable reason.
Surprised right? Yes! That station Ayade has vowed never to see function is Prince Jedy Agba's City FM. This station would have been the first private radio station in the state if the government had not used state powers to frustrate it for obvious political reasons.
There's a popular cliché that
What's good for the goose is also good for the gander. If Gov Ayade has decided to shift grounds on ownership of private radio stations in the state, politics shouldn't become what will determine who is qualified or not to operate one in the state.
From information gathered, Jedy's City FM if allowed to operate will cover up to Benue, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi states as it has the largest coverage range and best equipments compared to the existing ones.
Also, the station will have the capacity to create more jobs than any of the stations in operation now because of its size. That means, it will pay more tax while at the same time put food on the table of more Cross Riverians.
This sounds interesting right? It surely does but all this is at a crossroad because of politics of enmity played by Ayade and his surrogate.
Now, the big question is, why would our dear Governor who has talked so much about industrialization begin to scare local investors away? Why was Jedy's station singled out for closure amongst others?
One thing is clear! Other than the fact that Jedy wants to sustain his status as the highest private employer of labour in the state, he has nothing too special to gain or loose if he decides to move his station to another state. In fact, business-wise, it will be more beneficial to him if he moves the station to Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Edo etc where he will make more money from industries through advert but he's looking more on the value it'll add to the state and jobs it'll create for our teeming unemployed youths than what he stand to gain. Why then the persecution?
From all indication, the only offence Jedy has committed is his membership of the opposition APC! A critical look at all the existing radio stations will point to the fact that, to be qualified to own and operate a station in the state, you must belong to the Governor's party, the PDP!
Jedy has contributed too much to the state such that he doesn't deserve the treatment meted on him by the Government. If he shutdown his Godilogo farm today, several thousands of Cross Riverians will become jobless and the state internally generated revenue will be affected.
That he's not a trouble maker doesn't mean he should be treated with such disdain and blocked from impacting on his people.
Jedy is from Obudu where the Governor comes from. They may belong to different political parties today but Gov Ayade wouldn't have been where he is today without the fight he put in to ensure that the governorship goes to the north. Outside that, he practically sponsored Ayade's election as revealed by former PDP state Chairman, Ntufam John Okon despite the manner he was harassed and treated by the party.
Let good conscience prevail upon the Governor to reciprocate his kind gesture with good not evil. A man who sacrificed all to make the north have a Governor that Ayade is enjoying today shouldn't be treated this way.
Dear Governor Ayade, posterity should remember you for liberalizing the broadcast sector for all not selective!
All well meaning Cross Riverians, traditional rulers, civil society organizations etc should rise and speak to the Governor to allow CityFM operate like other private radio stations in the state. It's Jedy today, it could be anybody tomorrow. Think of thousands of youths on the street who are seeking this opportunity to build career, to make a living.
Recall that I mentioned that the existing stations have not been as objective as we all thought? The solution is to allow the great dream of Prince Jedy to establish a world standard radio station in his state to fly because when it comes on board, it will redefine broadcasting by holding objectivity in high esteem, competition will set in and other stations will have little or no choice than to improve and the biggest beneficiary will be you and I who will finally get to know about all the sides of the coin.
Peter is a university don
