ASHENEWS reports that the Niger State Governor, Mohammadu Umaru Bago and the Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Dr Akin Akingbulu have underscored the important role community media plays in sustainable development.
The duo stated this during the 10th anniversary of Lavun Community Radio and the launching of N50 million fundraising on Tuesday at the Idris Legbo Kutigi Conference Center in Minna.
Bago said that the media is important to democracy and the administration of any government as they portray what the government is doing and keep the government on its toes adding that community media which include both print and broadcast will keep the community informed about happenings around them.
The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner of Information, Honorable Binta Mamman assured that the government would do its best to support community media that are springing up across the state.
In his keynote address, the Executive Director of the Centre for Media and Society (CEMESO), Lagos, Dr. Akin Akingbulu, highlighted the transformative power of community radio in fostering sustainable communities adding that by prioritizing inclusivity, economic opportunities, health, education, environmental care, and political empowerment, community radio serves as a crucial communication tool.
“Community radio addresses the needs of individuals and institutions, breaks down complex ideas, and provides immediate feedback without literacy barriers, thereby enhancing community engagement and development”, he said.
Akingbulu emphasized the need for government, donor agencies and development organizations to support community media while emphasizing the need for community media to develop robust revenue-generation strategies.
He stressed on the importance of developing quality programs in local languages and ensuring financial sustainability through strong resource management and stakeholder support stating that a key aspect of community radio is community ownership and participation.
The Director stated weak internal management systems, restrictive revenue frameworks, and encroachment by government stations as major hurdles facing community media. He called for strategic reforms, including strengthening internal management, expanding revenue frameworks, and revising community radio policies urging community radio stations to implement effective organizational structures and strategic planning to ensure their growth and sustainability.
Akingbulu congratulated Lavun Community Radio for its exemplary work in sustainable community development calling on stakeholders to provide continued support and create an enabling environment for community broadcasting, not just in Lavun, but throughout Niger State and Nigeria.
“Your work as a tool of sustainable community development is an inspiration to various segments of our community,” Dr. Akingbulu remarked. “I implore you to continue to work hard, even as I urge all stakeholders to raise our game in providing support and enabling the environment for the community broadcasting sector.”
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Lavun Community Radio, Dr Jibrin Kolo Saba said that Lavun Community Radio has been able to achieve several feats in the past ten years, top of which include keeping the culture and identity of the people of Lavun local government area and the people of Niger state in general.
He said that the Radio has been able to expand its reach across Niger state, some parts of Kwara state and Kogi state adding that despite its numerous challenges, the radio station has continued to thrive.
The launching of N50 million was done by the Chief Launcher, Architect Rabiu Muhammad Sadiq where several of the guests made various pledges anonymously.
