By Chris Onuoha

The founder Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) Fidelis Duker has revealed that his latest initiative, FAD broadcasting media will kick off in October 1, 2015. The veteran film maker and former president of Director’s Guild of Nigeria (DGN), in a chart with Sunday Art said that having secured license from federal government to run broadcasting media in the country, he has put all things in place to power  general interest radio station.

Fidelis Duker who is leveraging on his long work experience with Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Lagos, in the 80s, who has  paid his dues as one of the respected movie directors, producers in Nollywood made good his adventurous quest by establishing a broadcasting outfit.

“It is one of my dream comes true, I have just acquired a license from the federal government to run a TV and radio station in Cross River State. The radio station will begin in Calabar metropolis in October 1, while the television station will also start two months later in the same place.” He said.

Asked why the choice of Cross River State, he said, “I am establishing it there because Cross River is my State and Calabar in my town. It is a fertile ground to start and test runs such a project, also, noticing that Lagos is saturated with broadcasting stations it will not be wise to choke Lagos audience with many stations for now. But we will definitely come to Lagos when Calabar station stands firm.”

Duker also allayed Fans’ curiosity whether the TV and Radio station will not be film talk and Nollywood alone, saying “It is a general interest broadcasting outfit like any other. It will be built on quality content to match international standard. The station will feature news, global events both local and international.”

For the success and sustainability of the station, Duker said, “I will say I have gone past that stage of fear of failures. The most difficult thing is to get the approval which I have secured. The rest lies on my strong will and drive for success which has been carrying me on.

Another driving passion is my interest to contribute my own quota in the employment alleviation in the country and as well improving journalism in my own way. I spent over 20 years in broadcasting journalism and along the line, I see that film industry and media is interwoven. For me, it’s a continuity of the field I am already involved.