By Deji Abdulwahab
Dr Mohammed Bulama, the Director-General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), says the corporation will continue to serve as platform for dialogue, as well as catalyst for national development, peace, and unity.
Bulama said this while commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the FRCN in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said that values of integrity, credibility, and public trust remained the pillars that had sustained the corporation for 75 years.
According to him, these are the principles that will carry it into the future.
“In an age of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation, we must remain a beacon of proof. In a time of noise, we must remain a voice of reason.
“To our staff across the nation, I say the next chapter of FRCN will be written by you. Your creativity, your professionalism, and your dedication will define our relevance in the years ahead.
“Let us rise to this moment with renewed purpose and collective determination,” he said.
Bulama appreciated partners and stakeholders of FRCN for their unwavering support.
“Your collaboration has been instrumental in our journey, and we look forward to building even stronger alliances as we go forward.
The director-general said under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the FRCN had enjoyed a more conducive working environment and financial support.
According to him, this is achieved through numerous interventions from government to acquire state-of-the-art broadcast infrastructure, upgrade obsolete equipment and human capital development.
“To this end, a substantial number of FM zonal stations as well as operational centres have been renovated while many have received new transmitters and other broadcast equipment.
“These include audio mixers, microphones, amplifiers, professional consoles, air conditioners, so on and so forth.”
Bulama said contracts for the procurement of new medium-wave transmitters had been awarded for the three FRCN legacy stations.
He listed the stations as Enugu to cover the southeast and the south-south zones, and Ibadan for the coverage of the southwest zone.
He said that Kaduna was to serve the entire northwest and parts of the northeast and north-central zones.
“The one transmitter we have here in Radio House in Abuja will serve mainly the north-central zone and it will be relocated to Gwagwalada.”
He said the FRCN was also pursuing an aggressive programme to ensure provision of alternative power supply to all stations nationwide.
He said that the programme would be funded through the federal government and in partnership with state government and development partners and friends of the corporation.
“About 30 stations have so far benefited from solar power installation in Radio Nigeria. And it is an ongoing programme.
“Similar plans are on to gradually replace obsolete equipment in all our stations nationwide, depending on the availability of funds.
“Our workforce must be continuously trained and empowered to meet these demands,” he said.
The FRCN boss said that there were also plans for the reconstruction of a befitting National Broadcasting Academy (NBA).
He said that a new ultra-modern complex was coming up, adding that it was also building a new annex of the NBA in Abuja.
“As we speak, we have an annex of the NBA in Gwagwalada.
“To ensure constant training of the human capital, the future of FRCN lies not only in technology, but in the people who bring that technology.”
Also speaking, Chief Sunday Dare,
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, urged the FRCN to provide unique information to Nigerians.
Dare said, “You must realise that you connect millions of people.
“You provide unique information to millions of our people. Information empowers, information educates, and you must take that assignment with all the seriousness it deserves.
“So, whenever you stand in front of that hot mic, or you are holding that hot mic, make sure that what you deliver is something that is informative, educative, accurate, authentic, and empowering.”
Unveiling the FRCN logo to kick off anniversary activities, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the Federal Government had significantly invested in infrastructure to strengthen and modernise public media.
Idris said the administration of President Bola Tinubu remained committed to modernising public media and ensuring that no Nigerian is left uninformed.
“With new 50-kilowatt medium-wave transmitters in Kaduna, Ibadan, Enugu, and Gwagwalada, FRCN will soon extend its leadership voice in Nigeria’s vast radio landscape.
“This is a clear demonstration of this administration’s commitment to modernising public media,” the minister said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
