Broadcasting
Lagos Traffic Radio Launches Live Report Motorcycles
The Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM has launched a Pilot Scheme for Live Traffic Report system to aid Lagosians with information while commuting around the State.
Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos Commissioner for Information and Strategy and other top government officials during the launch of the motorcycles
The motorcycles would enable the number one traffic station in Nigeria have on-the-spot reporting of traffic situations in the State.
Gbenga Omotosho, Lagos commissioner for Information and Strategy, who launched the motorcycles at the station’s office in Ikeja, said the development represented a symbol of creative thinking of the agency.
According to him, the State is moving towards a transportation system driven by technology, while stating that it is going to play a key role in traffic management across Lagos.
The commissioner stated that the Pilot Scheme was a key step towards using technology to revolutionise the management of traffic in Lagos, adding that the problems of traffic in the State, was a source of concern challenging the creativity of the present administration.
Omotosho said it was a fact that information was necessary to efficiently commute in the State without being stranded, speaks to the significance of the scheme.
In his words: “If you look at the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, transportation is a very big pillar and in fact the very first one, and because it is the very first one, we are not joking about it.
“We are looking forward to the day that we are going to be reporting from the skies. I am also looking forward to the day that every thing that we do about Transportation is driven by technology.
“It high time we got this kind of thing all over Lagos; the drone monitoring traffic and everything. All I want to assure you is that that first pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda is so important that whatever idea anyone body brings that can ease transportation in Lagos and make us look forward like all other big cities in the world, Mr. Governor is ready to accept such ideas.”
He said he was excited because of the symbolism of it all and because of the creativity that this had brought.
“The symbolism of it is that they are not just sitting down there, they are thinking about how to improve what they are doing.
“They are going to fasten the movement of our Traffic Radio officials to accidents and every other thing disturbing traffic, so that people can get accurate information. There is nothing you spend on information management and gathering that is too much.
“I see this as a first step. It will get to a stage that Traffic Radio will acquire its own helicopter and get its officers all over the place to do their job based on the fastest technology.
“It will get to a time that we are going to be reporting from everywhere, because there is nothing left for us; the population is there, the traffic is there. So everything is challenging us, challenging our creativity, and ability to manage the little resources that we have,” he said.
Omotosho added that “You are not looking at the this as just mere inauguration of motorcycles but the symbolism behind it; that it’s going to ease reporting, and enhance the fact that of all the things that we do, either in government or private affairs, information is key. if you don’t have information, you are dead. You need to know where you are going to, you need to know what has happened where you are coming from.”
The commissioner urged the management of the Radio “not to rest on their oars” but rather “continue to think on your feet on how to do better as a Radio station.”
In his opening address, Tayo Akanle, general manager, Lagos Traffic Radio, said the initiative was borne out of the occurrence of incidents on highways coupled with little or no comprehensive live reports.
He said the pilot scheme was designed to change the travel experience of commuters as they usually under-go harrowing experiences whenever there was a major incident on the road.
Akanle stated that the development would aid on-the-spot report of traffic situation in the State, saying that professional, comprehensive, real time and accurate information would be shared through the radio station and social media platform of the Agency.
According to him, the motorcycles would aid the station’s operations by allowing it to arrive timely at the particular incident spots towards providing on-the-spot live and accurate reports that would assist commuters make informed decisions, especially knowing the root cause of the traffic gridlock they were experiencing at that particular time.
He said the reports disseminated would now be more professional, comprehensive, real time and accurate, as it would be handled by trained journalists from the Station, adding that the information would now be shared through the airwaves and on social media platforms for a wider reach.
“You will all agree with me that the speed and manoeuvring ability of these motorcycles would be apt for this operation, just as it is a clear departure from the past where our reporters arrive late at these incident spots thereby hindering the provision of live and accurate reports for commuters,” he said.
The General Manager said the live reports at the incident spot would serve as a major boost to the delivery of information on traffic flow, while providing available alternate routes that would reduce convergence of vehicles leading to gridlock situation on highways.
He added that it could also be used as a veritable database for future projections on traffic management and transportation systems design for the State.
According to him, “the whole idea however, is inspired by the need to enhance road traffic movement and add value to the travel experience of motorists and commuters in Lagos State.”
Akanle commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the support towards the actualization of the Pilot Scheme, which was borne by the desire to vitalise the traffic management system of the State as captured in the Administration’s policy thrust, tagged the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda.
He added that the Pilot Scheme was complementary to the efforts of other stakeholders in the management of traffic in the State.
“This Pilot Scheme, is the contribution of the Lagos Traffic Radio to the actualization of the Traffic Management and Transportation component of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda for the socio-economic development and empowerment opportunities for all residents in Lagos State,” he said
Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, commissioner for Transportation, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Oluseyi Wenu, hailed the initiative, stating that the importance of such on-the-spot reporting could not be over emphasized.
He said the effort was key to the actualization of the administration’s traffic management vision, a pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.
Engr. Olajide Oduyoye, general manager, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), said the initiative was an improvement on the profile of traffic management in the State, saying that the development was a welcomed one as it would complement efforts of LASTMA officials.
Olusegun Ogungbemide, sector commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos, who was represented by Mrs. Olabisi Sonusi, said the development was timely and highly commendable, particularly with the congestion of traffic during the “ember months.”
Afro-pop star Joeboy takes centre stage this week as he features on the Easter edition of African Voices, the Globacom-sponsored magazine programme on CNN.
In this episode, the Nigeria-born singer sits down with show anchor, Larry Madowo, in Lagos, where he shares the story of his journey from a young university student with big dreams to becoming one of Afrobeats’ most recognised voices.
Long before global attention, Joeboy, born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus, started out experimenting with music and sharing covers online. His 2017 cover of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” marked a turning point, helping him transition fully into singing and setting the stage for what was to come.
That moment soon opened new doors, including a connection with Mr. Eazi, who brought him into the emPawa Africa talent programme. This provided support and exposure for his music to reach a wider audience, laying the foundation for his professional career. The alliance also birth “Fààjí,” which featured Mr. Eazi in 2018, after which he was signed to Warner Music Africa.
Under this partnership, Joeboy released his hit single “Baby” in 2019, followed by “Beginning,” which has 23 million views on YouTube. He also released “Love & Light” the same year and featured Mayorkun in the tracks “Don’t Call Me” and “All for You”
Since then, the 29-year-old has gone on to release two albums, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic in February 2021 and Body & Soul in 2023, while earning recognition across the continent, including awards for his contributions to African pop music. He won Best Artist in African Pop at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and Best Pop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival.
The programme will air on Saturday at 7.30 a.m., with several repeat broadcasts scheduled across the weekend and into the following week. 11 a.m. on Saturday; on Sunday at 3.30 a.m. and 6 p.m. This continues on Monday at 3 a.m. and 5.45 p.m, and on Tuesday at 5.45 p.m. The schedule will be repeated next week until 3 a.m. on Monday.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), seeking to overturn a Federal High Court judgement that restrained it from imposing fines on radio and television stations across the country.
NBC
Delivering the lead judgement, Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi, on behalf of a three-member panel, upheld the earlier ruling and set aside the fines imposed by the NBC on 45 broadcast stations on March 1, 2019, for alleged breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code.
The panel was presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, with Justice Donatus Okorowo as the third member.
According to a statement issued by Idowu Adewale, Communications Officer of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), the unanimous decision of the Court of Appeal stemmed from a suit filed by the non-governmental organisation in November 2021, challenging the NBC’s powers to impose fines on broadcasters.
The Federal High Court, in its judgement delivered on May 10, 2023, by Justice James Omotosho, ruled in favour of MRA after the NBC failed to defend the suit.
The court held that fines are sanctions imposed on persons found guilty of criminal offences and, under Nigerian law, only courts of law have the authority to impose such penalties.
Setting aside the fines of ₦500,000 each imposed on the affected stations, Justice Omotosho stated that the NBC “is neither a court nor a judicial tribunal to make pronouncements on the guilt of broadcast stations, notwithstanding what the NBC Code says.”
He added that the Commission’s actions violated the Constitution.
Dissatisfied with the ruling, the NBC filed a motion in July 2023, urging the same court to set aside the judgement on the grounds that it lacked jurisdiction and had reached its decision without considering relevant facts.
However, in November 2023, Justice Omotosho dismissed the application, describing it as futile and an afterthought, noting that available evidence showed the Commission had been duly served but failed to appear in court to defend the case.
The NBC subsequently approached the Court of Appeal in July 2024, seeking to overturn the judgement.
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At the hearing on February 4, 2026, Mr Victor Ogude (SAN), leading Mr Kehinde Wilkey for the NBC, adopted his brief of argument and made additional submissions.
Counsel to MRA, Ezenwa Anumnu, also adopted his brief and responded accordingly.
In its ruling, the appellate court agreed with MRA’s position that the NBC, having failed to contest the suit at the Federal High Court, could not raise fresh challenges at the appellate level.
Justice Oyewumi held that the appeal lacked merit and accordingly dismissed it.
With this decision, MRA has secured victory in the first of two appeals involving the NBC over separate Federal High Court judgements barring the Commission from imposing fines on broadcast stations.
The second appeal, filed by the NBC against a similar judgement delivered on January 17, 2024 by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is still pending. The Court of Appeal heard arguments in that matter on March 25, 2026 and has reserved judgement.
In that case, the NBC is challenging a ruling arising from a suit filed by MRA after the Commission imposed fines of ₦5 million each on a television station and three pay-TV platforms in 2022 for allegedly undermining national security through the broadcast of documentaries on banditry in Nigeria.
Dr.Shaibu Husseini, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), has called for stronger distribution frameworks within Nigeria’s film industry to ensure that locally produced content achieves global visibility.
He urged film festivals across the country to evolve beyond networking platforms into active marketplaces where filmmakers could secure distribution deals. He stressed that festivals must attract distributors, exhibitors, streaming platforms, and marketers to create tangible opportunities for filmmakers.
Husseini made this call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the Coal City Film Festival held in Enugu.
“Film festivals must become gateways to distribution where filmmakers leave not just with applause, but with real opportunities,” he said.
Husseini expressed personal delight at hosting the event in Enugu, his birth state, noting the city’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding contribution to Nigeria’s creative landscape.
He commended the festival organisers, particularly the Festival Director, Uche Agbo, for their resilience and commitment in sustaining the
initiative. According to him, the Coal City Film Festival has grown into a significant cultural platform and a must-attend cinematic event in South East Nigeria.
Speaking on the festival’s theme, “Local Stories, Global Screens,” Husseini emphasised the importance of authenticity in storytelling. He noted that films rooted in local realities, languages, and cultural truth often resonate more strongly with global audiences.
He cited notable Nigerian productions such as King of Boys by Kemi Adetiba, The Wedding Party by Mo Abudu, Anikulapo by Kunle Afolayan,
“Black Book” by Editi Effiong, and “Lionheart” by Genevieve Nnaji as examples of culturally grounded stories that have gained international recognition on platforms such as Netflix and at global film festivals.
While acknowledging the growth in film production across Nigeria, the NFVCB boss identified distribution as a major bottleneck in the industry. He observed that many high-quality films struggle to reach audiences both locally and internationally due to limited distribution channels.
Reaffirming the Board’s commitment to industry development, Husseini stated that the NFVCB has continued to reposition itself as a partner in progress by engaging stakeholders, improving classification processes, and promoting a balance between creative freedom and social responsibility.
However, he raised concerns over increasing non-compliance with regulatory requirements, noting that some filmmakers bypass the Board by releasing unclassified films or operating without proper licensing.
He said all films and video works must be submitted to the NFVCB for classification and registration before being released on any platform, including digital platforms such as YouTube.
“This is a legal obligation, and the Board will not hesitate to take decisive action against defaulters,” he warned, adding that regulation is essential for protecting the industry, audiences, and national values.
Looking ahead, Husseini assured stakeholders of the Board’s continued collaboration with filmmakers and festival organisers to build a structured, sustainable, and globally competitive Nigerian film industry.
He concluded by commending the organisers of the Coal City Film Festival for their vision and contribution to Nigeria’s cultural economy, urging filmmakers to continue telling authentic stories that can resonate across global screens.
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