Abuja, Feb. 13, 2024 (NAN) The Federal Government says it will invest more in infrastructure and technology to enable radio stations to meet up with global trends.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja to mark World Radio Day.
NAN reports that World Radio Day is celebrated annually every February 13 to celebrate the pivotal role of radio.
The theme for this year’s celebration titled, ‘Radio: A century informing, entertaining and educating,’ “reflects the remarkable achievement of radio as a means of communication and information for over 100 years, despite the advent of social media.
According to the Minister, there were a lot of challenges in running public radio among which were, advanced technology and digitisation.
“Buying new equipment and investing in new infrastructure goes with the times and even more so with the government owned radio stations.
“You recall most recently, I visited FRCN Kaduna and what I saw there was something to worry about.
“I went to their transmission station in Jaji, and some of the equipment I met there was as old as 50 years and some even more than that.
“The most recent equipment there is about 20 years-old. I think this is not good enough; technology as you know does not stay in one place,’’ he said.
The minister continued: “Technology advances daily, and if you want to see or keep with the pace, then you have to move along with it and that entails investments, putting in new infrastructure, especially digital hardware.
“ What the government is trying to do now is to invest in the infrastructure of the public broadcast system, especially the radio stations; we are taking it up’’.
The Minister noted that over the years, radio stations, especially government owned had played a significant role in the advancement and unity of the country
He emphasised that, in spite of the efforts of agents of divisions and mischief makers in the country, radio has done so much for the unity of Nigeria.
“There is no time that radio is more useful than now in view of its resilience, sincerity of purpose and commitment to nation building and is not just a Nigerian thing, it is a world thing.
“UNESCO is marking Radio Day, because in the face of fake news, misinformation and disinformation, radio appears to be a lot more reliable and resilient.
“And that is why UNESCO is saying that it is good that Nigeria expands its horizon especially in the area of community radio.
“I think UNESCO is looking to deepen community radio stations in Nigeria by bringing these radio services closer to the people.
“Community Radio can be used for the advancement of agriculture, promotion of culture, preaching peace and unity; and you can use them to correct the anomalies that social media usually put forward.
He assured that the government would continue to advance the course of radio as a major information dissemination platform.
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