By: Abdullahi Inuwa
Katsina State’s public broadcasting sector is witnessing what officials describe as its most extensive transformation in decades, with massive investments in infrastructure, renewable energy and transmission facilities restoring the state’s radio service to full operational capacity.
General Manager of the Katsina State Radio Service, Lawal Attahiru Bakori, said the sweeping upgrade carried out under Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration has repositioned the station for modern broadcasting while dramatically improving working conditions for staff.
Speaking after officials of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Katsina State Radio Chapel, toured the station’s headquarters and the Dutsinma transmission station, Bakori said the once-struggling broadcaster has been revitalised through the rehabilitation of offices, installation of solar-powered electricity, refurbishment of operational vehicles and motorcycles, and modernization of technical equipment.
“Anyone who visited this station two years ago and returns today will clearly see the remarkable transformation. We have received every support we requested from the state government to improve our operations,” he said.
Bakori disclosed that the state government is also expanding its broadcast footprint with the construction of three new FM radio stations in Katsina, Daura and Funtua. According to him, one of the stations is nearing completion, while work continues on the remaining two.
He noted that similar rehabilitation has been carried out at the state-owned television station, describing the intervention as unprecedented since the establishment of the state’s broadcast media organisations.
Calling on staff to match the government’s investment with professionalism, Bakori said the station has resumed full operations and is now focused on improving programme quality while strengthening its presence on digital media platforms.
Chairman of the NUJ Katsina State Radio Chapel, Khalid Bakori, praised the government’s commitment to revitalising public broadcasting, saying the newly installed solar power system has permanently addressed the station’s long-standing electricity challenges.
He explained that uninterrupted power supply now enables the station to broadcast from morning until night, extending its signal to communities across Katsina State, particularly rural areas, and strengthening public awareness campaigns on education, healthcare and other government programmes.
At the Dutsinma Transmission Station, Officer-in-Charge Nura Ballo described the intervention as the most comprehensive renovation since the facility was established about 30 years ago.
According to him, the project delivered potable water, solar power, a fuel-efficient generator, renovated transmitter buildings, upgraded staff quarters, refurbished offices and a modernised mosque.
Ballo recalled that persistent power outages and rising fuel costs had previously restricted transmission to only a few hours daily.
“Today, we can remain on air for much longer periods at a fraction of the previous operational cost,” he said, describing the upgrade as a major boost to public broadcasting across the state.
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