ASABA/Nigeria: The Delta State Government has welcomed the entry of Big Heart Radio 92.1 FM into the state’s broadcasting industry, with Governor Sheriff Oborevwori describing the investment as a valuable addition to the state’s communication and socio-economic landscape.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Michael Osuoza, spoke on Saturday at the commissioning of the radio station in Asaba, established by legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr. Anthony Idigbe, SAN.
The commissioning brought together traditional rulers, government officials, media executives, professionals, business leaders and members of the Idigbe family, as the new station formally joined Delta’s growing broadcast sector.
Representing the governor, Osuoza said the establishment of Big Heart Radio demonstrated the importance of private investment in expanding platforms through which citizens could access information, education and public-interest programming.
He said radio remained a powerful medium for reaching diverse audiences and urged the station to make professionalism, accuracy and responsible journalism central to its operations.
According to him, the media has an important responsibility to scrutinise public institutions and draw attention to issues affecting society, but such criticism should be constructive and directed towards improving governance and advancing the public good.
Osuoza commended Idigbe for choosing Delta State, and particularly Asaba, for the investment, saying the decision reflected confidence in the state’s investment environment.
The government’s message at the event came against the backdrop of increasing reliance on both traditional and digital media platforms for public information and engagement, with the new station expected to combine FM broadcasting with online and social media channels.
The Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, described the station as a significant development for the Asaba Kingdom and welcomed the decision of an indigene to invest in a major broadcasting venture in the state capital.
Azinge said the project aligned with his efforts to encourage Asaba indigenes to contribute directly to the development of the city through strategic investments.
He described the station as an opportunity to promote Asaba’s culture, history and identity, while acknowledging the support of the Delta State Government and the National Broadcasting Commission.
Chairman of the occasion, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, said the new station would provide another avenue for citizens to access information and participate in discussions on issues affecting their communities.
He noted that radio remained particularly relevant because of its broad reach and accessibility.
For Idigbe, the commissioning represented the realisation of a long-standing ambition to establish a platform dedicated to informing, educating and entertaining the public.
He said the station was conceived to bridge communication gaps, encourage meaningful conversations and create opportunities for citizens to exchange ideas and participate in matters of public interest.
Idigbe commended the Oborevwori administration for creating what he described as an enabling environment for investment in Delta State. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Asagba, Obaigbena, members of his family and friends to the realisation of the project.
He paid particular tribute to his family for making part of their ancestral land available for the station, describing the gesture as a demonstration of sacrifice and collective commitment to community development.
The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Charles Obuebu, said the broadcasting industry was evolving as conventional radio increasingly intersected with digital technology and online platforms.
He encouraged Big Heart Radio to develop programmes that would promote culture, education, entrepreneurship and national development while taking advantage of the wider reach offered by digital platforms.
Dr. Mrs. Lizzy Idigbe, wife of the station’s founder and President of the Association of Ibusa Professional Women, said the project was driven by the belief that information could serve as an instrument of empowerment and development.
She said the station would seek to connect communities with opportunities while providing a platform for interaction and public engagement.
The event reached its high point with the first live broadcast from Big Heart Radio, conducted by Obaigbena, signalling the commencement of the station’s broadcasting activities.
The arrival of Big Heart Radio adds another voice to Delta State’s media space and introduces a new private investment into Asaba’s information and communication ecosystem, with its management expected to balance conventional broadcasting with the demands of an increasingly digital audience.
