The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has urged foreign broadcasters with offices in Nigeria and beam their signals into the country to register with the commission within 30 days.

The Director-General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, made the call at the presentation of provisional approval to the newly approved 67 licensees, on Friday in Abuja.

Ilelah also called on the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and other broadcast stations streaming online, to register with the commission to avoid disconnection and prosecution. He said that NBC was determined to collaborate with security agencies to clamp down on illegal broadcasters in the country.

The NBC boss reminded licensees that are yet to pay their outstanding debts, to hurriedly pay or have their licences revoked for illegal broadcasting. He urged the newly approved 67 licensees to reciprocate the gesture of President Muhammadu Buhari by putting the license into use within the timeframe provided.

Ilelah urged them to act responsibly and in accordance with the Act, Code and other extant laws guiding broadcasting whilst imploring them to promote the democratic values, national unity and cultural heritage of the country.

He, therefore, advised the new licensees to pay attention to safeguarding the peaceful coexistence of Nigeria through their broadcast.

He also added that broadcasters should note that part of the requirements for the commencement of test transmission is to send their staff for training at the newly established Nigeria Broadcast Institute.

Responding on behalf of the licensees, Dr Mustafa Lecky, the Chief Executive Officer, Afe Elamah Company Ltd. Edo, assured that they would work diligently to promote the unity of the country and that they would pay their annual licensees fees on time diligently and completely and the commission will be happy with them.