By Idris Khalid
The Bauchi state government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure fully digitalising government-owned media organisations and transitioning their operations to solar energy to reduce the high cost of powering broadcasting facilities and improve operational efficiency.
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Usman Shehu Usman, gave the assurance yesterday when he received the newly elected leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bauchi State Council, led by its chairman, Comrade Isah Garba Gadau, during a familiarisation visit to the ministry.
The commissioner disclosed that Bauchi State Television Authority (BATV) had commenced 24-hour broadcasting, while the state’s AM radio station (BRC) had been digitalised, tested and certified ready for operation.
He also revealed that the government had constructed 10 additional community radio stations across the remaining 10 local government areas of the state to expand access to information and strengthen grassroots communication.
According to him, the planned transition to solar energy is aimed at reducing the financial burden associated with fuelling generators and ensuring uninterrupted operations across the state’s media organisations.
On workers’ welfare, Usman disclosed that about 60 per cent of casual workers in the media sector had been absorbed into the mainstream civil service.
He expressed optimism that the remaining casual workers would also be fully integrated before the expiration of the present administration.
The commissioner urged journalists to pay greater attention to political processes and developments, stressing the need for the media to promote informed public discourse and counter misinformation, propaganda and misleading narratives.
He said the media had a critical responsibility to provide accurate, balanced and timely information on political activities and governance, noting that professional journalism remained essential to strengthening public understanding and democratic participation.
Usman further urged journalists to uphold the ethics of the profession, particularly the principles of accuracy, fairness, objectivity, responsibility and accountability, stressing that public trust remained the foundation of media credibility.
He also reiterated the commitment of the administration of Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to completing the construction of the NUJ Secretariat before the end of its tenure.
He assured the union that the project remained among the government’s commitments to improving the working environment and welfare of journalists in the state.
Earlier, the NUJ State Chairman, Comrade Isah Garba Gadau, sought a stronger partnership with the Ministry of Information and Communication, particularly in organising training and capacity-building programmes for journalists.
Gadau described continuous professional training as essential in the changing media landscape, urging the ministry to collaborate with the union to equip journalists with the skills required to meet emerging challenges in the profession.
He commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for what he described as significant improvements in the state’s media industry.
The NUJ chairman acknowledged the administration’s interventions in media infrastructure, broadcasting facilities and the welfare of media personnel, noting that the initiatives had contributed to strengthening the media landscape in Bauchi State.
He also applauded the commissioner for maintaining neutrality and providing a level playing field before, during and after the electoral process that produced the new NUJ leadership.
Gadau expressed the readiness of the new executives to work closely with the Ministry of Information and Communication to strengthen government-media relations and promote the development of the media industry in the state.
