‘We want to be industry leader by 2021 in digital broadcasting’

In less than one year of its existence HIT FM may have taken the city of Calabar and its environs by storm with its exciting programmes as the first private radio station in the tourism state and now ranked 8 best radio stations in the country.

Patrick Ugbe, chief executive officer of HIT FM Calabar, Cross River State, says the station was born out of the desire to give the people an alternative voice and providing a platform for the voiceless people in society. The station which came on air early this year is making waves as the first private radio station in the Tourism State.

Ugbe was a former governorship aspirant, chief press secretary and special adviser to former Governor Liyel Imoke, a former commissioner for information and later commissioner for youth and sports.

He said he has been in the private sector before going into the public sector in 2007. Ugbe, who is also a broadcaster, said it has been his dream to set up a private radio station.

“For so long, we’ve not had something like this. HIT FM came as a breath of fresh air; for so long, the people have been yearning for something like this, like it’s done in Lagos, Rivers (Port-Harcourt) and Akwa-Ibom States.

As the first private station in the state, it will provide a platform for those yearning for change for them, things that give them professional and modern broadcasting techniques, a station that is independent, a station that stands on the truth, that does not pander to any position but stands on ensuring that what they give to the public people is the truth.

An organisation that provides that platform for the voiceless of the society, give them an opportunity to have a voice, that is what we have alone, we have done our work very professionally, we have done it in style, we thank our listeners who tune in to our programmes daily, we thank the taxi drivers, the keke-Napep riders, the government, the opposition, the common man on the street for giving us tremendous support within the short period of our existence. We promise to keep the confidence reposed on us by our listeners and numerous advertisers and the general public

“Remember I was in the private sector before going into public sector; now I am back to where I came from. We pride ourselves as best talk, best music on radio, we don’t just give best music but best talk on radio. Otuetue that programme that has taken the station by storm, we have public view, tell your story, quality programme best sport story – among others, we feature the opposition and government – we have the common man on the street come to our station.”

Ugbe further said that Hit-FM is one station that covers the whole of Cross River State and the neighboring state and that they were not afraid of competition.

“In 5 years time we want to be in the minds of the people, in 5 years time, we want to be that radio station that will be the best in Nigeria that they can rely on. We want to be industry leaders and the best radio station in Nigeria in less than a year,’’ he said.

Some residents of the state expressed confidence on the ability of the first private radio station in the state to become the number one radio station in the country.  Anthony Etim Bassey of Calabar South Local Government Area said the coming of Hit FM was a big relief to the people of the state who are tired of government censorship. Bassey said the radio station has provided an alternative platform for the downtrodden to express themselves.

John Oko of Yala Local Government Area, who was full of joy for the station, said the station is the first radio station that covers the local government area in its programme.

Boniface Obi of Ikom Local Government Area also expressed happiness that Hit FM has given them a voice for the first time in the history of the state.

Ewara Ewara of Abi Local Government Area said he has no doubt in his mind that Hit FM in no distance time would become the number one station in Nigeria.

Vitalis Ugoh, a veteran journalist, said the coming of Hit FM to the state is one of the best things to happen to the state. Ugoh said the programme of the station is tailored towards the people and their environment.

Mike Ogar of Bekwara Local Government Area said the station has provided a platform for the people of his local government area to have a voice for the first time ever in the history of the state.