Why Olamide, 9ice And David's Songs Were Banned

The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) has released a list of five Nigerian songs labelled as unsuitable for broadcast.

The 5 songs which the Corporation described as “Not to be Broadcasted” are: Olamide's “Wo” and “Wavy Level"; Davido's “Fall” and “If (Remix)"; and 9ice's “Living Things.”

Rapper Olamide, who is signed to his own record label, YBNL, shot the video of his latest single “Wo” at Lady Lak in Bariga where he was raised.

In a Tweet, the Federal Ministry of Health had also stated why the 28-year-old rapper’s song is unsuitable for broadcast:

"The public is informed of the dangerous public health content & violation of Tobacco Control Act 2015 in "Wo" by @olamide_YBNL#ClearTheAir.

"The content & video contains scenes that violate the Tobacco Advertising, Promotion and Sponsorship provision of The act #ClearTheAir."

The 2015 Tobacco Control Act prohibits anyone from promoting or advertising tobacco or tobacco products except between a manufacturer, retailer and consenting persons above 18 years of age.

The Act specifically states that: “No person shall promote or advertise tobacco or tobacco products in any form.

“No person shall engage or participate in any tobacco advertising, promotion or sponsorship as a media or event organizer, celebrity or other participant.”

According to the 2015 law, anyone who violates the law faces the risk of a fine of not less than N3,000,000 and a one year jail term.

The NBC had earlier in the month, cautioned all licensed radio stations in the country to adhere to city-based FM radio transmission, or risk revocation of their operating radio licences.

The Director General of NBC, Mr Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, who gave the warning at a stakeholders’ meeting on transmitter power in Nigerian broadcasting said the industry is faced with very difficult challenges resulting from unauthorised transmission that is causing frequency interference and clashes.

“There are illegal and rampant use of transmission power by stations all over Nigeria.

“Stations procure transmitters without respecting the stipulated and recommended transmitter power in city-based FM stations. The consequence of this is that we have frequency clashes occurring all over Nigeria.

“As at February 22, 2017, the NBC had compiled a total of 69 stations around the country, where transmitters had been installed beyond the transmitter power stipulated in the conditions of their licenses, but as at today, we have a list of 89 such stations and the list is not exhaustive,” Kawu said.

According to him, High-power transmitters installed all over the country today, have become responsible for the frequency jamming that is taking place all over Nigeria.

He said, “We are dealing with an anarchic situation in the Nigerian broadcasting airwaves, to be honest, and there is no responsible regulatory institution that can allow the problem to persist.”

In a related development, Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State has charged the NBC to ensure broadcast stations adhere strictly to the broadcast code to stem hate and divisive messages.

In a goodwill message at a parley organised by NBC with station owners, station managers and heads of political desk in Kaduna, El-Rufai stressed that stakeholders must stop giving prominence to purveyors of hate speech that threaten national unity and security.

Represented by his spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, the Governor said radio station owners and managers must give priority to issues that promote national unity, love and harmony.

NBC’s Director General, Is’haq Modibbo Kawu, also urged the broadcast media to be fair, objective and balanced in their daily reportage.

“We must not allow broadcast media to be compromised and used by politicians. Broadcast operators must be aware of hate speeches across the country, which is dangerous,” he said.

Newer Post Older Post