Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday said the aggressive repositioning of broadcast stations in the state was part of his administration’s strategy aimed at empowering the media outfits to compare favourably with the best in the world, pledging that the state would soon celebrate the birth of a media empire.
Mr Ambode, who spoke while declaring open the 65th General Assembly of the Broadcast Organisations of Nigeria (BON) held in Lagos, said his passion for the information platforms was very high; a development he said accounted for the massive investment aimed re-energising the broadcast stations in the state.
His words: “As an administration, we are committed to re-energising, re-positioning and re-engineering our broadcast stations by strengthening their operations with the provision of cutting-edge technology that will stand them out amongst their peers around the world.
“I must confess here that as a governor, my passion for the information platforms is very high. This is because of my belief that the media and information machinery are the windows through which the world sees us and vice-versa.”
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, said in recent times, his administration provided the radio stations in the State with new transmitters and studios, while Lagos Television is currently undergoing a holistic overhauling of its non-digital equipment, adding that the station had just taken delivery of six stream box avenirs that would enable it improve on electronic news gathering abilities, while a new HD outside broadcast van would soon be delivered in the coming days.
“During my first anniversary broadcast, I made a commitment to turn around the three stations. I want to assure you that we are on course. As we hope to invite our friends from all over Nigeria to celebrate the birth of a new broadcast machinery in Lagos State.
“Lagos State Government is committed through our broadcast stations to deliver first class service to the people of the State as exemplified through the various projects being executed by this administration among which are road projects, the Light Up Lagos Project and series of others.
“We are also committed to promoting the broadcast industry to an enviable height in the coming years. Our dream Media City project will be a one-stop media empire to be located in the heart of Ikeja that will be the pride of all,” the governor said.
Ambode, who also commended BON for its various initiatives, said he was delighted to be identified with the ideals of the broadcast industry which represents the bridge between the people and their elected representatives.
Earlier, in his remarks, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the broadcast media has a critical role to play in helping government to quell insurgency and militancy in some parts of the country, a development he said was part of reasons why government was putting so much efforts and resources in achieving a more developed broadcast industry as evident in the efforts toward the digital broadcasting switch over.
The minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Ayotunde Adesugba, also charged the media to be at the vanguard of fighting all aspects of corruption at all levels by visibly setting agenda to fight graft, indiscipline and nepotism, among others.
