Bauchi Prioritizes Community Radio Establishment for Efficient Communication

By Khalid Doya Idris 

Bauchi State is poised to embark on a revolutionary journey in community broadcasting, with the planned establishment of community radios in all 20 Local Government Areas of the state. This development was disclosed by the Bauchi State Information and Communication Commissioner, Usman Shehu Usman, during a press briefing on the outcome of a recent State Executive Council meeting.

According to Commissioner Usman, the second phase of the Bauchi Broadcasting Corporation (BRC) project will focus on setting up community radios in areas that currently lack them, including Darazo, Shira Warji, Giade, Dambam, Dass, and the state capital's local government area. "With the execution of phase two of the project, there will be a community radio in each of the 20 Local Government Areas of the state," he explained.

Commissioner Usman emphasized that the new development will not only enhance maintenance but also ensure that all community radios in the state are overhauled for efficiency and effectiveness. He praised the state governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for his media-friendly stance, saying, "We are lucky in the ministry of information that our Governor is not only a journey but also a media-friendly governor whom everybody in Nigeria knows about his media friendliness."

The commissioner also shed light on the digitalization of BRC and Bauchi State Television (BATV), revealing that the necessary equipment is already on the ground, with some almost fixed. He quoted Governor Mohammed as emphasizing the urgency of the digitalization process, which has become one of his priorities.

Regarding employment opportunities at BRC, Commissioner Usman clarified that the issue of understaffing is not unique to BRC, as all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state face similar challenges. However, he assured that the Bauchi state government is actively employing citizens into its services, citing recent and ongoing recruitment exercises by MDAs such as the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC), Sharia Commission, and Ministry of Housing and Environment.