ANALYSIS:

On Nine Years of Unpresidented and Sustainable Quality Broadcasting Services of Prestige FM Minna,.

BY YAKUBU MUSTAPHA BINA.

As Prestige FM Radio Minna marks its Nine years of existence been the only first private radio station established on 17th July, 2017 based on the conviction of the principles of media establishment to inform, educate, enlighten, entertain to ensure the unity and promote social and ethnic diversity of Nigeria as well as to encourage religious tolerance amongst the diverse Nigerian’s. Although, the station started as a joint venture consisting of shareholders in the organization.

PRESTIGE FM MINNA is first while others are followed “We are hard to reach” due to the steady progress of the station compared to others. Prestige FM remain as the most reliable radio station in the last nine years of its existence in Niger State that have maintained its progressive status and improving in the airwaves. We are always very clear that gives our listeners, the local, state, National and international news together with business, sports and weather reports across the world.

Our slogan “Truth is Our Watch Word” we say it the way it is. That is Prestige FM Radio Minna for you,  however without intimidation and fear, we are prestigeous that is why we are PRESTIGE. Our programmes cut across different languages to include: English, Hausa, Nupe, Gbagyi, Igbo and Yoruba, Fulani and Abawa for fair representation while the two major religions are given their fair opportunity for various programmes respectively

This is the only radio station that considered its listeners and clients as a major priority hence we are not created for political reasons or politically inclined. Therefore, Prestige FM Minna have lines of programmes that has direct impacts on the lives of the people ranging from politics, social, economy, religious, education and entertainment as well as enlightenment like Nigeria Today, Kasar mu Ayau, Crusaders show, Tselle Daya, Zara Bunu, Journalists Hangout, music of yester years, Ogene, tsohur ajiya, dNdigbo, ku matso yara, Masabaqa, mata adon gida, fadar mai gari, popular Sports splash and other sports programs, NYSC program, youth circle, brothers keepers, do better, traffic show, orphans and widows, chook mouth, kiddies connect women to women talk and different social responsibility programs like the masses, marayu among others.

Prestige FM also air its various News bulletin like News Real, News At Dawn and News at Noon which are done in English and translated in Hausa, Nupe, and Gbagyi respectively also we have news updates as well as weekly News Review every Sundays. We do have Special Reports and News Commentary on matters that affects the people and the society. That’s why we are leading.

Prestige FM first hits the airwaves on the 17th July, 2017 to mark a new dawn in Niger state broadcasting and the commencement of its operations is nine years old on Friday 17th July, 2027 consciously paying attention to the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) codes and regulations through monitoring to ensure strict compliance and avoid violations of the laws of broadcasting within the period under review, however satisfied and confidence with the operational measures of the NBC in the state for their relentless efforts of monitoring of its activities and programs accordingly. Truth can never be told so as not to be understood, and not to be believed.

Consequently, Prestige FM Minna now solely owned by Colonial Sani Bello (Retired) the Sarkin Malamai of Kontagora described as a wise investor who has long paid off all other shareholders of the organization is currently led by the Executive Director Malam Yusuf Ibrahim Ladan since 2019 who has been running the station affairs silently, steadily and progressively moved strategically Prestige FM to next level. We could not afford to deviate from sustaining the station’s principles of media establishment of information, educating, enlightenment, entertainment of the public and to ensure the unity of Nigerians devoid of religious and ethnic differences as well to hold government and leaders accountable through transparency in governance which will be sustain and improve upon. One needs not to write in a diary what one is to be remembered for ever but his leadership legacy will speak volumes.

The business mogul and a philanthropist owner of Prestige FM Minna also proudly owns the Landmark FM Kontagora that was also established 7 years ago on 19th March, 2019 operating simultaneously, however making us to have the highest in listenership in Niger state that no other radio station can match. Sustaining its courage in broadcast despite related threats from some quarters because of its professionalism.

Sani Bello’s wise media investments has led to the ongoing establishment of a Prestige Television station in Kontagora currently at the advanced stage of completion to be launched very soon. It doesn’t take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide on what to do.

The first private radio station in Minna Niger state capital that opens the window for other radio stations, however Prestige FM Radio Minna have continued to lead in its content, programs, initiatives, commitment, listenership, critical and investigative reports, at the side of the masses not government inclined, very principle in the realization of its mission and vision of touching lives of the masses especially the poorest of the poor and down trodden in the society.

The station have remain consistently focused, innovative, steadfast, resilient, committed to the professional conduct, ethical practices, in line with the vision and mission of the radio station in the last 9 years of its operations covering the three Geo- political zones of Niger state and beyond like parts of Kaduna, Kebbi, Abuja, Kogi and Kwara States while its simultaneous operation with Landmark FM Kontagora makes us edge far above others in the state. We are  also first to have our programmes and News streaming live, also our casters doesn’t carry papers like others but electronics for news casting to meet up with the contemporary global challenges and standard. They say Courage is not absence of fear but the mystery of fear.

Many Nigerian youths both male and female were employed through the wise investment of the elder Statesman that deserve to be emulated devoid of political motivation – thousands of youths have used the station as a stepping stone platform to trained themselves now doing well in their carriers in government and private sectors of the economy across the country.

One of the greatest achievements of the current Executive Director of Prestige FM Minna Malam Yusuf Ibrahim Ladan’s leadership efforts and determination to move the station to the permanent site at the Bosso Estate in Minna from the hired apartment after the change of the ownership. It takes a thrive, focused, committed, inclusive and fair leadership to achieve such successfully- deserved commendations having gone far above average to meet the expectations of the people. Success comes to a man who sees today what others are thinking to do tomorrow.

Malam Yusuf Ibrahim Ladan’s silence, calmness, tenacity, cool headedness, determination, experience, resilience, sacrifice, team spirit, and hardwork has been his strength since he assumed the leadership of the Prestige FM Minna to date, although those leadership qualities he possessed can not be taking for granted. If you continue to throw stones at every dog that barks, you will never get to your destination. We remain focused and steadfast on our path in order to realize our dreams in Prestige FM.

Malam Ladan’s simplicity, humbleness , patriotism, a silent achiever the Executive Director have remain strategically silent and committed, innovative, focused on effecting development of the station passionately over the years not otherwise.

Moreover, since the change of the ownership and leadership, Prestige FM Minna have continued to witness steady progress, growth, and development in all spheres of the organization for better and prosperous status under the leadership of the current Executive Director Malam Yusuf Ibrahim Ladan who have changed the leadership narrative for better understanding.

It is worthy to note that the station recognizes the importance and critical roles played by some key stakeholders of Prestige FM Minna for their initiative and contributions especially the station’s Pioneer and former Managing Director (MD) Alhaji Zubairu Abdulrauf Idris (Dan Masanin Birinin Gwari) and the Pioneer and former Director Operations  Alhaji Abdullahi Mahmoud among others who laid the indelible foundation the current leadership is building upon over the years.

Apparently, the contributions of the current members of the management team like the station manager Alhaji Kabiru Abubakar (Mai Jama’a), Director Operations Landmark FM Kontagora and Prestige FM Minna Alhaji Mustapha Nasiru Batsari, departmental heads and all the workers can not be undermine for the enhancement of sustainable progress and development of the station.

Earlier, the Management of Prestige FM Minna had organized a special prayer session to mark its nine years anniversary of uninterrupted operation

held in the station’s mosque in Minna, Niger state capital where the participated Malams all prayed for the continued progress and development of the radio station to overcome its challenges of the media and its practitioners especially for the protection of the practition journalists in the state, Nigeria and for more blessings in achieving better future and against all negative tendencies.

The station however prioritizes social responsibility programs and service to humanity were embarked upon including donation to the victims of Mokwa flood, The Voice of the Masses, while the consistency and uniqueness of Prestige FM Radio Minna has kept the station going and maintaining its listenership and clients who are not taking for granted in all it ramifications – to be one of the best radio station in the country and the world. Proudly harboring talented, trained, qualified, and determined staff to achieve the best results with greatness in their job accomplishment. Those coming behind Prestige FM should emulate our footsteps to greatness devoid of pretending what they claim to be, because at the end, you are what you pretend not to be. Integrity, trust, reliability and confidence matters in the media operations and should be our guiding principles.

Just like any other organizations across the world, Prestige FM Minna shares its own challenges which includes: epileptic power supply from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) that usually disrupted transmission of programs, high cost of operations including high cost of diesel, sudden and unexpected breaks in transmission which is normal in broadcasting, while sadly in April 2025 after the completion of the permanent site and relocation the station’s mast was destroyed by heavy wind storm although managed to sustain its operations with limited coverage which we later overcomed perfectly. Remember that the most difficult ways to face difficulties is to face them happily.

Prestige FM Radio Minna is currently waxing stronger with the upgraded modern equipments to meet up with the global contemporary digitalize broadcasting ideals, first in Minna Niger state capital while improving in standard of operations to meet up with the current demands of the broadcast industry to greatness. We are working towards installation of solar power to ensure uninterrupted operations twenty four hours.

We are leading the space while others follow in Niger State broadcasting services and also witnessing steady progress without compromising standards. This is a determination of a mirror that never loses its ability to reflect even when it is broken in to pieces.

Prestige FM Radio Minna thrives to achieve an uncommon fit in the last nine years of its existence in Niger state just as it continues to improve and sustain the tempo for years ahead

CONGRATULATIONS PRESTIGE FM MINNA AS WE MARK NINE YEARS IN BROADCASTING SERVICES TO NIGERIANS AND HUMANITY.

YAKUBU MUSTAPHA BINA is a Journalist and Public Affairs Analysis in Minna, Niger state.

yamustibina@gmail.com

20th July, 2026