‘It was erroneously approved’ — FG withdraws ‘Enyimba FM’ trademark from Empau Communication

The federal government has withdrawn the trademark registration of a radio station, Enyimba FM, owned by Empau Communication Limited. 

In a letter received by the company based in Aba, Abia state, on July 26, the Trademarks Registry, ministry of trade and investment, said the application was erroneously approved.

The letter added that Rethink Media Network Limited reportedly owned by Paul Ikonne, former executive secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), recieved the trademark approval earlier. 

“The application was erroneously approved as it conflicts with ENYIMBA FM NG/TM/O/2021/44711 dated 26/10/2021,” the letter reads.

“Consequently, the approval letter issued to you in respect of the application NG/TM/O/2022/60226 is hereby withdrawn and invalidated.”

The letter followed a request dated July 15 by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) seeking clarifications on the rightful owner of the trademark. 

In response, the trademarks registry informed NBC that Rethink Media Network Limited, another Aba-based radio, had been issued an approval at an earlier date. 

“I am directed to refer to your letter dated July 15, 2022, on the above-stated matter (Use of “Enyimba FM as trademark by two different companies licensed by the commission), I am directed to inform you that investigation in this office has revealed that the application “ENYIMBA FM” by RETHINK MEDIA NETWORK LTD was first in time and was issued an approval based on a consent letter from Abia state government through the State Ministry of Information,” a letter dated July 25, signed by A.T Ogunbanjo for Trademarks Registry and addressed to the director-general of NBC, reads.

“It is pertinent to state that the application “ENYIMBA FM” by EMPAU Communication Ltd was approved in error on the basis of a letter from Aba North Local Government, instead of Abia State Government which has the appropriate authority.

“Consequently, a letter of withdrawal of application of ENYIMBA FM has been dispatched to notify EMPAU Communication Ltd of the withdrawal of the acceptance letter earlier granted in error.” 

Details of the letters seen by TheCable, Empau Communication got approval from the Trademark Registry on March 17, 2022, with a consent letter issued by the Aba North LGA on March 21. 

Reacting, Chigozie Joshua, head, public relations, Rethink Media Network Ltd, said the company, in September 2021, approached the Abia state government through the ministry of information with an application for consent to use the name ‘Enyimba FM’. 

He further noted that the approval was granted by the state ministry of information in September 2021, while the Trademarks Registry approved the application in October 2021 

According to him, in February 2022, after the allocation of the 93.5 FM frequency by NBC, the company unveiled the station’s name and logo as “93.5 Enyimba FM” with its slogan as “…the peoples’ radio” and also laid the foundation for the radio station in Aba.