We don’t shut opposition – GM, Katsina Radio
Malam Sani Bala Kaboma was recently appointed General Manager of Katsina State Radio Service. In this interview, Kabomo shares his experiences, challenges so far and how he intends to reposition the service to compete in the sector. Excerpts:
From Habibu Umar Aminu, Katsina
What are the challenges you met since your appointment?
Let me start by expressing gratitude to the almighty creator for spearing my life to reach up to this level. So also my thanks to His Excellency the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari for finding me worthy of this assignment in line with my chosen profession.
My appointment was in November last year and so am now ten months old in this new assignment. But before then, I rose through the rank of journalism to become a Director, Current Affairs of the news department of the station and I worked as an editor, translator, current affairs programme. I was also the producer of a political programme ‘Da Bazarku’ and crime beat called ‘Kundin Kuliya.’
The challenges I met are enormous, but I thank God that a number of the challenges were surmountable. The first challenge I met was the issue of staff discipline and improved productivity to get quality and rich programming for the station. This was in addition to decaying and absolute equipment which needed to be replaced in order to meet the modern needs of broadcast. In fact these are the major challenge, which by the cooperation of the management we were now trying to overcome one after the other.
Staff discipline is being restored, while workers are now alive to their responsibilities while upgrading of our broadcast equipment is on course gradually.
What are your key areas of development?
My plans for the radio station are quite clear. First, it is my dream to leave a legacy worthy of emulation in terms of transmission and quality programming. Secondly, the issue of revenue drive is my focused in addition to enhancing staff welfare and training to meet the modern challenges of broadcast.
How will you change the perception that state-owned media are always associated with the ruling government?
As a state-owned media, I want to say that the present state administration has given us a free hand. In fact, the governor had said times without number that the state-owned media is for the public and opposition are free to air their views, which I will confess are enjoying the privileged at the moment.
Generally, we are doing our job in accordance with the ethic of the profession, which before now government tend to put censorship which jeopardize our work.
We feature opposition political parties in our daily political programme ‘Da Bazarku’ and news aspect either on party platform, or on individual capacity.
There are fears that the ongoing digitalisation process will shut some media outfits. How far is it with your station?
The digitization for the radio station is not on course for now, but what the government is focusing on the digitization of the television station.
However, the current administration is keen on the revitalising the state-owned media outfit with full cooperation and support by the Ministry of Information led by Commissioner Hamza Mohammed Borodo and the Permanent Secretary. Indeed, they were helpful to us in all aspect of the radio transmission.
On plans for establishing the FM stations.
On this note, I want to commend the government for the commitment and resolve to establish three FM stations to be located at Katsina, Funtua and Daura. Plans are in top gear, while processes for the award of the contract is about to be accomplished.
How do you foresee the stateowned media outfit in the future in terms of quality programming and administration?
I must confess and be thankful to God that the media industry in Katsina especially those owned by the state are being transformed by the incumbent administration.
By and large, very soon, we will come of age in terms of modern broadcast and that is our hope and prayers always.