The Secretary to the Niger State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, has reassured all state-owned media outfits of the government’s unwavering commitment to equipping and revitalizing them for optimum productivity in information dissemination within the state.
The SSG made this assertion during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Hadiza Mohammed Shiru, and heads of parastatals and agencies of the ministry, held in his office.
In emphasizing the crucial role of information in the success of government programs and policies within the state, the SSG explained that the current administration is fully prepared to prioritize information dissemination.
“The present administration, led by Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, recognizes the significance of publicity. Therefore, it is imperative for the government to equip and rejuvenate all state-owned media outfits for optimum productivity in information dissemination,” remarked Usman.
Usman urged the ministry and its agencies to double their efforts in promoting government policies, programs, and achievements to the citizenry. He emphasized, “The government will continue to motivate and improve the working conditions of its workers for greater productivity and result-oriented service.”
Furthermore, he added, “Executive orders by the state government will be considered to ensure that state-owned media outfits receive patronage from government agencies and parastatals for revenue generation.”
“The present administration also plans to reintroduce the Jama’a Forum, an important platform that encourages citizen participation and engagement in the development of the state,” Usman disclosed.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs. Hadiza Mohammed Shiru, informed the SSG that the ministry and its agencies have the responsibility of monitoring government activities and disseminating such information to the public.
Expressing concern over the current state of obsolete equipment and dilapidated structures of all state-owned media outfits, Shiru urged the government to urgently address these issues to avert their imminent collapse.
General Manager of Radio Niger, Kabiru Ibrahim; Executive Director of the Library Board, Haruna Ibrahim; Managing Director of Newsline Newspaper, Aisha Abubakar; Director of the Niger State Book Agency, Mohammed Baba Alfa; and Chairman of the NUJ Information Chapel, Ismaila Favu, all appealed to the state government for assistance in boosting information dissemination of government programs in the state.
