Enyimba FM Aba Radio reacts to alleged license withdrawal by NBC

The management of the ‘Enyimba FM Aba’ radio has reacted to the reports that its license has been withdrawn by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The publication alleged that NBC withdrew the license of Enyimba FM Aba from the owner, Chief Paul Ikonne, with claim that the same license had earlier been issued to Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s aide, Enyinnaya Apollos.

The reports published by online blogs said Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, through Trademarks Registry, had officially notified the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), that ‘Enyimba Fm Aba’ was legally registered by Rethink Media Network Ltd owned by Apollos for its radio station operation in Aba.

“Trademarks Registry, however in their notification to NBC said the license was in error issued to and being “illegally used by EMPAU Communication Ltd,” owned by Ikonne, a chieftain of All Progressive Congress (APC)”, the reports said.

Also, the Head, Public Relations, Rethink Media Network Ltd, Mr. Chigozie Joshua, told online publication that after the company’s application for a radio license was approved by the NBC, the Company on September 2021, approached the Abia State Government through the Ministry of Information, with an application for consent to use the name ENYIMBA FM for registration and establishment of a radio station in Aba as required by Trademarks Registry laws and guidelines, given that ENYIMBA is classified as a ‘Geographical Area’.

Reacting to the reports, Mr. Chris Nwaokolo, the group Head of News Enyimba FM Aba, told AbaCityBlog that the station’s license was not withdrawn by the NBC. “It is still intact”.

“Our license was never withdrawn by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC. The story was a lie and we’re still on air,” Mr Nwaokolo told AbaCityBlog. “You can tune into our channel Enyimba 94.3 FM Aba – we are live on air.”

“The thing is, we went off air yesterday for upgrades and not the other way round.”

Enyimba FM Aba Radio is owned by Chief Paul Ikonne, the son of the King of (Ezeukwu) Aba, HRM Eze Isaac Ikonne and the immediate-past Executive Secretary of National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).