Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria has charged Federal Government to upgrade the facilities of Nigerian Television Authority NTA, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria FRCN, News Agency of Nigeria NAN Orientation Agency NOA and others under Federal Ministry of Information through increased budgetary provision of National Assembly
National Coordinator, Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, gave the charge in a statement today while reacting to the Budget Defence process currently going-on in the National Assembly.
The Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria, an NGO dedicated to high professional and ethical standard in media practice and good governance in Nigeria, expressed serious concern on the deplorable state of Zonal and FM Stations of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria [FRCN] as well as that of the Nigerian Television Authority [NTA] all over the Country.
It pointed out that the two flagship Federal Media Organizations are working under serious hardship, apart from Abuja the Nation’s Capital, most State Stations of NTA and FRCN lack needed adequate facilities to serve the Nation effectively and efficiently.
According the statement, it is no longer ideal for NTA and FRCN Managements to rely on State Governments to upgrade their facilities, when actually they are battling with their domestic problems.
The Group lamented that the media outlets lack equipment needed in all FRCN and NTA Stations across the Country including Lagos and commended the Minister of Information and National Orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris for undertaking study tours of NTA and FRCN stations in Lagos to see things for himself
The NGO called for total rehabilitation of structures, provision of modern equipment, Generating Sets, Vehicles and good working condition of service for Public Media Staffers all over the Federation.
On Media Salary Scale for Public Service Media Workers, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria described it as a necessity as the demand has been on for several years owing to strenuous conditions under which Media Professionals work
It appealed to National Assembly Members to integrate all these into its consideration in approving tangible Budget for 2025 for Federal Ministry of Information.
On the National Orientation Agency [NOA], the Group commended the new Director-General of the Agency Mallam Lanre Issa Onilu for reviving the activities of the Agency
The Group stated that under the new Charter evolved for NOA, grassroot mobilisation for Nation’s development and progress is surely being pursued by the new Director-General and solicited sufficient funds appropriation for the Agency to realize its objectives
