For the effective takeoff of the two proposed Yaba College of Technology’s (Yabatech) Radio Stations, the institution needs to apply for a separate licence of another 20 Watt for Epe Campus while the initial licence of 20Watt transmitter for Yabatech main Campus remain on its own as distance cannot allow for both stations to use one transmitter.
This was the position of the regulating National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in an interview over the weekend.
The leadership of the school had last week, said it is dialoguing with the NBC to resolve a disagreement delaying take-off of the college’s radio station.
Yabatech had secured operating licence for Yabatech Radio Station since December 2015.
However, the head of public affairs at NBC, Mrs. Maimuna Jimada, in a telephone interview, explained that “Their first installed transmitter capacity is 20watt which is the standard provided by law for Campus Stations. That transmitter and licence was for Yabatech in Yaba.”
“For the fact that both proposed Stations are not close enough (Yabatech and Epe Campus) to cover the range, there must be another licence for 20Watt transmitter for Epe Campus. This is the regulatory standard and again, the standard transmitter capacity for Campus Radio Station is 20 Watt and you cannot use a 20 Watt Transmitter for two or three stations that are quiet distant like Yaba and Epe. The best option for the school is to aplly for another licence for Epe Campus Radio at NBC,” NBC explained.
Dr Charles Oni, Director, Public Relations Unit of the school had disclosed that the conflict borders on the use of the licence in both campuses of the college at Yaba and Epe, for which the college duly applied.
He said “We have an area of conflict with NBC. Initially, when we applied for the licence, it was intended for both campuses.
“But now, NBC is saying otherwise. We are trying to sort it out,’’ Oni said.
He noted that the school management has completed a new digitalised studio for the radio station and will begin test transmission soon.
According to him, the radio station would be used to train students in the non-formal education setting as part of the institution’s drive to key into training in non-formal education essentially, through the open distance and flexible learning system.
“Non-formal education is important and central to mass-literacy, especially in areas of vocational and technical education in Nigeria.
“We are trying to emulate India, China and some other countries where radio is being used as an input to enhance mass education.
“With the radio, students may not need to come to the classroom if they enroll with us on that platform.
“Students can receive lectures wherever they receive the radio station frequency.
“We are talking with Nigeria Broadcasting Commission on this innovation and so as soon as they give us the final approval, we will go on air fully.
