Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
Sokoto State Government has committed more than N1 billion to the acquisition of cutting-edge digital broadcast equipment for Rima Radio, Rima FM and Rima Television, in a major intervention aimed at overhauling the state-owned media sector and strengthening its capacity to compete in the rapidly evolving broadcasting landscape.
The Managing Director, Sokoto State Media Corporation, Labaran Lumo Dundaye, disclosed this on Saturday while speaking at the Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, held at the NUJ Press Centre, Zuru Road, Sokoto.
“The Sokoto State Government has invested over N1 billion in ultramodern digital facilities for our broadcast stations as part of a deliberate effort to transform their operations and bring them in line with contemporary broadcasting standards,” Dundaye said.
Dundaye said the intervention covers the provision of two transmitters, modern editing suites, high-end cameras and other digital broadcasting equipment, which he said would significantly strengthen the technical and production capabilities of the stations.
“The equipment provided includes two transmitters, editing suites, cameras and other modern facilities required to drive efficient and quality broadcasting in the digital age,” he said.
He explained that the investment was designed to accelerate the complete digital transformation of the three stations while expanding their capacity to disseminate information beyond Sokoto through modern information and communication technology platforms.
“The objective is to fully digitalize the operations of the three stations and expand their reach to the global community through a strengthened ICT department,” Dundaye said.
The Media Corporation boss further disclosed that the state government had provided five operational vehicles to boost mobility and facilitate effective coverage of events and activities across the state.
“The provision of five operational vehicles will enhance the operational capacity of the stations and enable journalists and other personnel to discharge their responsibilities more effectively,” he said.
Dundaye described the media as a critical pillar of societal development, particularly in a state where responsible reporting remains crucial to maintaining peace and promoting public understanding of sensitive security and religious issues.
“Journalists in the state have demonstrated that they are peace loving and professional, while their contributions to development, particularly in the areas of security and religious matters, are recognised by virtually all sectors, agencies and departments,” he said.
He commended the NUJ Sokoto State Council leadership under Comrade Usman Mohammed Binji for maintaining unity among journalists and sustaining the culture of regular congresses, describing the platform as essential to professional solidarity and institutional engagement.
“We commend the current NUJ leadership for sustaining unity among members and ensuring the regular conduct of congresses, which remain vital to the growth and cohesion of the profession,” Dundaye said.
The Managing Director also acknowledged the Sokoto State Government for granting the corporation operational independence, stressing that professional autonomy and adherence to journalistic ethics were indispensable to the credibility and public trust of the media.
“We appreciate the state government for allowing the corporation to operate independently and in line with the ethics of the journalism profession,” he said.
The disclosure places the government’s investment among significant interventions aimed at repositioning state-owned broadcasting infrastructure amid an industry increasingly driven by digital technology, modern production systems and borderless dissemination of information.
