News

Nigerians Decry New Subscription Rates For DSTV, Gotv

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2024

Subscribers to Multichoice, a satellite television service provider in Nigeria, have decried the recent increase in monthly subscription fees for DSTV and GOtv.
They expressed concern that the increase in subscription fees is a significant financial burden.
Multichoice currently enjoys the monopoly of satellite television service provider in Nigeria.
Early in the week, Multichoice revealed its new subscription rates, citing operational costs and the need to enhance service quality.
For DSTV, the premium bouquet now costs N37,000.00 from N29,500, Compact Plus N19,800 now N25,000.00, Compact N12,500 to N15,700, Comfam from N7,400 to N9,300 and other packages also experienced substantial hikes.
Similarly, GOtv subscribers saw their monthly subscription surge, with the Value and Plus packages being affected. For instance, the Jolli GOtv monthly package which currently goes for N3,950 will be N4,850 effectively from May 1.
The announced price increment has elicited widespread condemnation from some Nigerians, who view it as insensitive, considering the prevailing economic hardship.
The Tide reports that social media platforms have been flooded with expressions of condemnation and frustration, with many subscribers questioning the justification for the steep price increase.
Mr Ebuka Victor, a Facebook user, urged the Federal Government to address the incessant increase and also break the monopoly being enjoyed by the company.
According to him, DSTV is killing Nigerians, the Federal Government must urgently intervene and rescue the citizenry from the monopoly Multichoice is enjoying.
Mr Benjamin Chukwucheben, also a user of Facebook asked rhetorically, “is there no regulatory body in Nigeria to stop the incessant increase in subscription for DSTV ?”
He claimed that Multichoice had increased subscription fees more than three times within a year.
Many subscribers have, therefore, called on the regulatory bodies such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), to investigate the rationale behind the price hike.
Mr Frank Akpata, in his intervention on his Facebook page, said; “Nigerians should get a smart TV or use their PS5 console, download and subscribe to all streaming platforms available.
“You will watch sports, movies with updated independent source news in real time as well. And there are enough animations for kids.”
Mr Abdullahi Adamu, another Facebook user, said “the price hike is coming at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with inflation, unemployment, and dwindling purchasing power.”
Ms Tomi Ifeayinchukwu, a digital marketer, told The Tide source in Abuja that she doesn’t subscribe to DSTV, she relies on streaming platforms for her entertainment.
“Since I moved into this present apartment, I did not bother to subscribe to DSTV. I rely solely on streaming platforms”, she said.
Mariam Ajala, an engineer, also told The Tide source that she just pays for DSTV subscription but uses streaming platforms for her entertainment.
She, however, added that with this increment, she would stop subscribing to the DSTV service.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

11 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

11 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

11 hours ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.