The Kano State Government has expressed its readiness to support the upgrading of broadcast equipment and rehabilitation of studios at Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) to bring the station in line with modern broadcasting standards.
The State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, stated this during an inspection visit to ARTV in Kano, which he undertook alongside the Chairman of the Kano State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Hon. Sa’ad Aminu Ungoggo.
Waiya said the visit was aimed at assessing the condition of the station and identifying areas requiring government intervention, particularly the provision of modern broadcast equipment and comprehensive rehabilitation of its studios.
He noted that rapid technological advancement and the transition to digital broadcasting had transformed the media industry, stressing the need for government-owned media organisations to be equipped with modern facilities to remain relevant and competitive.
According to him, the rehabilitation of ARTV’s studios and upgrading of its broadcast equipment would improve production quality, enhance operational efficiency and enable the station to compete effectively with modern television stations.
The Commissioner assured the management and staff that the Ministry would collaborate with the House Committee on Information and other relevant stakeholders to support efforts aimed at securing the necessary government intervention.
He also urged staff of the station to rededicate themselves to their responsibilities, embrace technological advancement and continuously improve their professional skills.
Waiya further assured them that the State Government would support training and retraining programmes to strengthen their capacity to operate modern broadcasting equipment and adapt to developments in the media industry.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Hon. Sa’ad Aminu Ungoggo, said the committee visited ARTV to assess the condition of its facilities and equipment with a view to seeking government intervention.
He said the committee would work closely with the Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs to ensure that the station receives modern broadcast equipment and the necessary rehabilitation of its studios.
Hon. Ungoggo, who described himself as a young person interested in the development of government-owned media organisations, said such institutions needed modern working materials to meet global broadcasting standards.
He assured the station’s management that the committee would present its findings and work towards attracting the required government support for the modernisation of ARTV.
Conducting the Commissioner and committee members round the station, the Managing Director of Abubakar Rimi Television, Hajiya Hauwa Isa Ibrahim, explained the condition of the existing facilities and highlighted the urgent need for modern broadcast equipment and studio rehabilitation.
She said upgrading the station’s facilities would significantly improve its production quality and strengthen its capacity to provide effective television broadcasting services to the people of Kano State and beyond.
Hajiya Hauwa commended Commissioner Waiya and the House Committee Chairman for the inspection visit and their commitment to securing government intervention for the rehabilitation and modernisation of the station.
She expressed optimism that the visit would lead to concrete government action towards transforming Abubakar Rimi Television into a modern and professionally equipped broadcasting station.
By Sani Abba Yola
Director, Special Duties
Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs