The Minister of Information and National Orientation Agency, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has expressed the commitment of the Federal Government to restore the lost glory of the Nigerian Television Authority and Radio Nigeria, Kaduna.
Idris stated this while addressing the staff of the two stations on Friday in Kaduna, during his working visit to the stations.
According to the Minister, both institutions have fostered Nigeria’s unity, peaceful coexistence, religious harmony, democracy, civic consciousness, industry, and agriculture.
He added that both stations have also boosted national awareness, social mobilisation, and enlightenment, among several achievements in post-independent Nigeria.
“I am aware of the human and material challenges of the FRCN, Kaduna, and the NTA, including inferior working tools, outdated infrastructure, poorly motivated workforce, and low competitive content, among others.
“My coming here today, in the company of the Directors General of the NTA and FRCN, is to genuinely seek a realistic approach to addressing some of these challenges, which is at the forefront of our priorities.
“We shall explore all the available options to ensure that we restore the lost glory of the NTA and FRCN.
“The case of the FRCN at national and state levels is even more dire, particularly here at Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, a once prestigious bastion of information that has produced innumerable broadcast icons.
“Indeed, Radio Nigeria Kaduna needs urgent resuscitation. We will surely act with urgency on this rescue mission.
“President Bola Tinubu carefully appointed all heads of parastatals in the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to help him succeed in this arduous task of rebuilding Nigeria,” he said.
The Minister however assured that rebuilding the communication outfits and all other tasks would be achieved through Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is anchored on eight cardinal missions, including food security, poverty eradication, growth, job creation, access to capital, inclusion, the rule of law, and fighting corruption.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Idris further assured his readiness to explore opportunities that would provide the necessary wherewithal to ensure that NTA and FRCN are equipped with modern technology and quality staff to maximise their potential.
“We shall also make welfare a priority so that the workers can do their best,” he said.
Idris further assured that the government will reward hardworking members of staff who toil day and night to inform, educate, and entertain the public.
“The government is aware of your invaluable contribution to nation-building amidst great challenges.
“Together, we will not only address the current issues but also build a foundation for a more robust and technologically advanced future for the NTA and FRCN,” he said.
In his part, the Director-General of FRCN, Dr Mohammed Bulama, said the visit by the minister is a sign of good things to come to the stations, adding that he was not surprised at the level of decay of the facilities in FRCN.
“As a patriotic Nigerian, I know that something is fundamentally wrong with NTA, FRCN, and others.
“The symbolism of this visit cannot be overemphasized. God willing, all our stations and facilities will get the attention of the ministry.”
Also speaking, the Director-General of NTA, Malam Salihu Dembos, commended the minister’s insistence on coming over to examine the situation at the two stations by himself, to work toward finding solutions to the issues.
However, some workers of the two organisations later narrated their challenges, ranging from service interruptions, absence of modern facilities, lack of training, poor welfare, and others.
