Kogi Government Shuts Down Tao FM To Save DG’s Head – According To Kogireports

Kogi Government Shuts Down Tao FM To Save DG’s Head – According To Kogireports

Kogi State Governor, Alh. Yahaya Bello has reportedly shutdown the
popular community radio in Kogi Central, TAO FM, to prevent the sacking
of the manager of the radio station, Dr. Halimat Salihu popularly known
as Big Mama.

According to investigation, the community radio
station that was shutdown by the state government on the guise of non
payment of ground rent was hurriedly carried out by the state government
to prevent the sacking of Big Mama by the board of trustees of the
radio station.

The investigation revealed that the board of
trustees of TAO FM has received series of complaints about the manager
of the radio station bordering on bribe, acquisition of three houses
from the state government and the recent complaint by Natasha Akpoti
Campaign Organization for outrightly turning down several jingles for
her campaign while accepting that of APC senatorial candidate, Alh.
Yakubu Oseni.

It was gathered that the board of trustees who saw
their efforts of establishing a private community radio to serve the
interest of all Ebira sons and daughters being destroyed by a manager
who has chosen to do will of the state governor switched into action and
found her wanton of the said crimes.

The investigation revealed
that after Big Mama was found wanton of the allegations levelled against
her, the board of trustees had no option than to issue sack letter to
the manager of the radio station who chose to do the will of the state
governor than that of journalism ethics.

The investigation
further revealed that in a swift reaction to fight for Big Mama who had
been doing the whims and caprices of the governor, closed down the radio
station under the pretense of non payment of ground rent.

A
source who works in the radio station said, they were already tired of
Kogi State government influence in the operation of the station.

According
to the source, Kogi state government influence was so much that no
opposition parties was allowed to campaign on the radio station neither
do the manager accept jingles from opposition parties.
The source
disclosed that call-in programme that will allow the audience to air
their views about salary payment and other affairs of the state were
suspended by the embattled manager to follow the will of the state
governor.

The source recalled how a popular staff of the radio
station was sacked by the manager for anchoring call-in programme about
salary imbroglio in the state where a caller called to pour his irk
about his several months of unpaid salaries.

The source stressed
that, “as you can see, the notice on the gate of TAO FM by Kogi State
Internal Revenue Service closing the radio station on the guise of non
payment of ground rent is hurriedly carried out without putting
procedures for closure of organization like this into consideration.

“Was there a written notice or warning before now? Is it now they suddenly realized that TAO FM failed to pay ground rent?

“All
these salient questions are what the state government failed to put
into consideration and they hurriedly closed down the station and moved
heavily armed men to the station to prevent the sacking of Big Mama and
further prevent the employment of new manager that will put journalism
ethics and the interests of Ebira sons and daughters irrespective of
political leanings ahead of personal interest”, the source said.

Nigeria
will remain corrupt and buhari will remain very incompetent as long as
he dosent care to look into the clear misuse of power in kogi state
#calltothenationalassembly

Source:- Kogireports