EBS MD, Aledeh Reactivates Ihievhe Substation After 10 Years Break In Transmission
By Simeon OSAJIE
The long abandoned Ihievbe substation of the Edo Broadcasting Service (EBS) once again hitting the airwaves to serve the requirements of the people of Edo North after a 10-year break in transmission.
Sulaiman Aledeh, a seasoned broadcaster and managing director of the station says “The future looks bright for EBS and the communities it serves”.
In a statement today, Aledeh said, “Notably, this resurgence comes just shy of 100 days into Governor Okpebholo’s tenure, highlighting a quick turnaround and a commitment to development. Once fully activated, the station will cater to a diverse audience by broadcasting in local Edo languages, major Nigerian languages, and Pidgin English, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity,”
Aledeh regretted that for years, the broadcast station had faced challenges that hampered its core mandate of informing, educating, and entertaining the residents of Edo State, stressing that the situation was deteriorated by the leasing out of the relay station in Edo Central, located in Uromi, by the previous administration, which rendered it impossible for EBS to utilise the facility effectively.
Describing the revitalisation of the Ihievbe substation as not only a victory for the broadcasting service, Aledeh said it is also a testament to the commitment of the Edo State government to enhance communication, foster community engagement, and promote local culture.
Recalls that on December 22, 2024, Aledeh had visited the comatose facility on the directive of Governor Okpebholo to assess the situation and come up with plans to revitalise and activate it.
And following a successful trial run weeks after, Aledeh said in his statement, “Today, a historic milestone has been achieved for the Okpebholo administration, as the Ihievbe station broadcast its successful test run, signalling the imminent completion of necessary refurbishments. After being off the air for a decade, the excitement in the community is palpable.”
The EBS MD who also doubles as the Editor-In-Chief of EBS was optimistic that while some aspects were yet to be finalised, the remaining work required to keep the station fully operational would be completed in the coming days.
While calling on key stakeholders, particularly local government administrators, to play an active role in supporting the return of EBS Ihievbe, Aledeh underscored the importance of ensuring the security of staff and equipment, as well as stabilising power supply to facilitate seamless operations.
