BRC MD Urges Return of Hajj Media Journalists
The Managing Director of Bauchi Radio Corporation, Alhaji Umar Muhammad Shira, has appealed to relevant authorities to reinstate professional media practitioners into the state’s Hajj information team to ensure effective coverage of pilgrimage activities in the Holy Land.
Alhaji Umar Muhammad Shira made the appeal during a send-forth ceremony and award presentation organised in honour of staff of the corporation who recently retired after successfully completing thirty five years of service in the civil service.
He said the deployment of experienced reporters to cover Hajj operations remains essential, noting that professional journalists play a critical role in providing timely and accurate information to listeners and the general public eager to follow developments surrounding the pilgrimage exercise.
According to him, excluding media professionals from the exercise would negatively affect the smooth dissemination of information and overall coordination of Hajj activities.
He added that the send-forth ceremony was organised to appreciate the retirees’ dedication and contributions to the growth of the station, the development of Bauchi State and the civil service at large.
The Managing Director also charged serving staff to remain committed to their responsibilities and commended the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed for supporting state-owned media organisations, saying the support had continued to yield positive results.
In a lecture delivered at the occasion, a senior lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Malam Hassan Alhaji Hassan highlighted the importance of radio broadcasting in addressing marital and societal challenges through educational programmes.
He appealed to the authorities to consider employing long-serving casual staff to replace retiring workers and strengthen professionalism in the media industry.
Malam Hassan also advised retirees to remain active by engaging in profitable ventures and urged the public to continue praying for leaders to sustain peace and progress in society.
Speaking separately, the Director-General of the Bureau for ICT and Digital Economy, Alhaji Hayatudeen Baba Maji Abubakar, and the Chairman, Board of Directors of BRC and Bauchi State Television, Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Bello, congratulated the retirees on the successful completion of their service years and pledged to channel issues affecting casual staff to the appropriate authorities for necessary action.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Bauchi State Council, Comrade Umar Sa’idu, alongside the State Chairman of Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, Alhaji Sirajo Abdullahi, called on the state government to give special consideration to the absorption of casual staff of BRC and BATV into the state civil service to enhance professionalism in the sector.
Delivering a vote of thanks on behalf of the retirees, Alhaji Ahmad Musa expressed appreciation to the management of the corporation for organising the event in their honour.
