AMCON shutdown: Silverbird will be back, says Murray-Bruce

The founder and chairman of the Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, has said the Group subsidiaries would soon return to normal operation after its offices were shut by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) following an alleged default on a N11 billion loan payment.

Silverbird Television and its sister radio station Rhythm 93.7 FM have been off the air since early Thursday while its cinema galleries and shopping malls it operated in Lagos and Abuja were also closed.

'The situation is being resolved and things will be back to normal,' Murray-Bruce said on his official Twitter handle on Thursday.

'In 36 years, Silverbird has grown and like anybody, it will face challenges. Tough times don't last. But we, as tough people, outlast them.'

AMCON took possession of the group's properties following a court order.

Bola Salako, of the Silverbird Communications division, told AFP: 'We have some issues which we are addressing. I can assure you that we will soon be back on air.'

Murray-Bruce, a senator who represents the southern oil-rich state of Bayelsa in the national assembly, established the Silverbird Group in 1980.

The group also operates cinemas and shopping malls in Lagos and Abuja and has interests in real estate and property in Nigeria's south and southeast.

It has organised the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant since 1983 and is involved in hosting the Mr Nigeria contest. - Guardian.