Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state reveals that Kano state accepts the digital switchover and vows to be a leading state with all the necessary commitment and patriotic posture for the development of modern communication in the state and the nation at large.
He made this known, when the Minister of Information Lai Mohammed paid him a courtesy visit, at Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, Friday.
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He explained that, “Kano being the most populous state in the country with variety of advertising opportunities for companies, the origin of Kannywood and with many radio stations, I think Kano should be the centre of this digital switchover.”
While assuring the Minister that, the state was ready to accept the new development, he observes that, “There is no doubt that our people will also accept it. We will definitely, make our public television and radio stations participate without any hindrance. I am also assuring you that our local governments will also participate.”
“Being a technical issue, I have already directed my Commissioner for Information, who was the President of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and African Union of Journalists, Muhammad Garba and the Chairperson of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), Sa’a Ibrahim, who is the Director General of Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV) to come together and discuss process of our participation.”
Kano, according to the Governor, would strive to be in the forefront of this new development. Assuring that, “We will not relent in our effort to participate effectively.”
In his remarks, as he spoke earlier, Mohammed explained the surrounding benefits the state could gain when it accepts the new development.
“This switchover is simply switching from analogue to digital, simple. We have a firm belief that after Lagos, Kano will follow. So we are very confident with His Excellency’s commitment, which translates into quality leadership.”
He discloses that, “We will be in Kano over this. While we are glad that Kano will accept this development, we are at the same time confident that, the state will be committed to it, looking at the political will from the part of His Excellency, our governor Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.”
When the switchover takes place, the Minister assured that, that could be a good chance for breaking monopoly in the dissemination of information at all levels.
“I am happy to hear that, the governor mentioned participation of all the 44 local governments, this will pave way for many positive things for both the local governments and the state generally,” he assured.
He urged the governor to buy into the idea of digital switchover and observed that, “For the Kannywood people this process will definitely help the industry to avoid this issue of piracy.”
