Who Paid to Block Bush House Nigeria on Atlantic FM?

Bush House Nigeria, made its big entry into the history books of broadcasting in Nigeria as it pioneered the National Network broadcast by any independent production in the country. The historic outing was on Saturday, January 07, 2012. While the independent production outfit is still savouring its heroic outing, tongues are wagging in Uyo and fingers pointing at high quarters for the blacking out of the relay of the programme in the Uyo-based Atlantic FM. 
Many enthusiasts of Bush House Nigeria, who eagerly tuned to the radio station for the relay of the programme were disappointed as the station left the network service immediately after the network news. Many listeners had to tune to other radio Nigeria Fm stations around the state. Some listened to the programme on the Fm stations in Umuahia, Port Harcourt, Abakalike and Owerri. 
Angry Akwa Ibom people have been reacting to an act that one observer traced to the door steps of agents of the Akwa Ibom state ministry of Information, who the observer said, “master-minded the dismantling of the Bush House Nigeria operations in Akwa Ibom state”. One Ekemini Udim reacting to the blackout said, I Am always in love with the sound production of Atlantic FM and thus waited for about 5 mins into the programme to see if they will join. They never joined. I think I finally listened to the show from a station in Port Harcourt. Bush entered into a contract for his programme to be aired in all the stations of Radio Nigeria. Atlantic FM deliberately refused to air it here, hence a BREACH of CONTRACT. Bush should get back part of his money. This is a serious matter”. In his own reaction, another listener Edidiong Umoh said “Let continue 2 petition heaven concerning Bushhouse. All her enemies shall completely bow not too long from now. Let support him in any capacity we can. O my people in Akwabasi Ibom/ Nigeria, I decree BushHouse shall succeed whether some men like it or not”.
Henry Akpabio racting from Uyo also looked at the conspiracy theory, “I waited till 4:45pm before I tuned PaceSetter Fm, i joined from bush house schools which stated at about that time. When I returned at intervals to tune Atlantic Fm they were busy Announcing Church Service for Armed Forces Day by Local Councils like Eket, Uyo, Ika etc.
Inability to get clear signals made me to switch Stations. Could this be another Official conspiracy in the State?
Fillers reaching our newsroom indicate that heads might roll as top shot at the Abuja radio house are already investigating the role of Atlantic FM handlers in the blackout. A source in Abuja told Weekly Insight that that Director General of Radio Nigeria is viewing the incident with grave concern considering the damage such breach of network agreement could be done on the image of Radio Nigeria. “I think the General Manager and whoever is concerned have a lot of explaining to make to the Zonal Director and indeed the Headquarters. They have no right to block the airing as a lot of money had been paid to sponsor the programme. It is a shame that a station in Akwa Ibom state could lend itself to such a conspiracy knowing that the programme has its roots in the state”.
Efforts to reach the Chief Executive Officer of Bush House Nigeria, Pastor Michael Bush were not successful. But the ace broadcaster had a few days to the commencement of the national network operations, posted on the media house facebook page, “Since Friday, 26th July, 2003 when what is today BUSH HOUSE NIGERIA made its debut on NTA 12, UYO as A.M. EXPRESS EXTRA, the vision has been consistent: to create a marketplace for ideas to contend. We may not have yet arrived at the mountaintop we targeted at our genesis, but we are not at the Starting Block Valley we set out from. The challenges, most of them man-made, were seemingly insurmountable but we surmounted them. The same good old Big Man gave us the wherewithal, the savvy and the courage to navigate the sea of stumbling blocks: unfulfilled promises by those we didn't know were wolves in sheep clothing; policy somersaults which had the one point agenda of extinguishing us; inclement business weather; sponsorship scarcity; name them. But, He saw us through. We are here today to praise Him”.

He promised, “let us re-state our commitment to the finest ideals of broadcasting. As has been our wont in the last eight years, we vow that our media works shall neither ever be on the side of government nor on the side of the people. We shall remain on the side of truth, forever. This is the way to safe-keep our society while at the same time inspiring hope, love and unity which are ingredients Nigeria is in dire need of. BUSH HOUSE NIGERIA, The House The Lord Himself Buildeth, shall continue to discharge the INFORMING, EDUCATING & ENTERTAINING mandate without fear or favour”.