NBC Refuses Comment On Kano Hisbah’s Directive Stopping Radio Station From Using ‘Black Friday’

Reactions have continued to trail the letter written by the Kano State Hisbah Board to a radio station, in Kano State, 96.9 Cool FM, for using the term ‘Black Friday’, asking it to refrain from the usage.

TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that the Principal Executive Officer II, Abubakar Ali, on behalf of the Commander-General, Hisbah stated that Friday is regarded as a holy day in Islam and tagging it as ‘black’ is derogatory and would not be allowed.

“I am directed to write and notify you that the office is in receipt of a complaint for the conduct of ‘Black Friday Sales’ on November 27, 2020.

“Accordingly, we wish to express our concern on the tagging of Friday as ‘Black Friday’ and further inform you that the majority of the inhabitants of Kano State are Muslims that consider Friday as a holy day.

“In view of the foregoing, you are requested to stop calling the day ‘Black Friday’ with immediate effect and note that the Hisbah Corps will be around for surveillance purposes with a view to avoiding occurrence of any immoral activities as well as maintaining peace, harmony and stability in the state”, he stated.

However, NBC which is the body saddled with the responsibility to prescribe a broadcasting code has refused to make comments on the hitherto development.

Meanwhile, the NBC Spokesman, Antia Ekanem, had declined comment when he was contacted noting that “Please I am on leave and I cannot make any comment”.

Besides, it was also reported that several attempts to speak with Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, Director General of the NBC had proved abortive.

Recall that Section 2 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act empowers the NBC to regulate broadcasting stations and sanction erring ones amongst others.