The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) are collaborating to ensure that the renewed focus on the mining sector by the federal government for economic diversification is projected to the grassroots.
Speaking whilst welcoming the recently appointed Director-General of FRCN, Mohammed Bulama to his office on Thursday, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake urged the FRCN to effectively project the mining sector, noting that the ministry has been able to direct local and international attention to Nigeria’s mineral resources, affirming this has generated investor confidence and interest that will culminate in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Alake commended Bulama for his efforts so far in repositioning the FRCN, stressing that more needs to be done to take the Renewed Hope agenda of the present administration to the grassroots, emphasizing that radio remains a veritable means of dissemination of information to citizens.
In his remarks, Bulama described the Minister as a reliable and dependable ally, hailing his giant strides in championing reforms that have redirected global attention to Nigeria’s solid minerals.
“Dr. Alake was one of the main people instrumental to my appointment, so I have nothing but gratitude to him. There are a lot of expectations on us, appointees of this government, because Nigerians expect a lot from this government, and we all know that the President alone can not do it. Therefore, I am very conscious of this important agency that I am leading. We will do everything possible to change the narrative, to make FRCN serve the people of Nigeria”, Bulama said.
Highlighting the challenges facing FRCN, the DG listed obsolete equipment, largely analogue operations, epileptic power supply, demoralized workforce amongst others, soliciting the support of the Minister in getting more funding from the Federal Government to enable the agency fulfil its mandate of effectively educating and informing Nigerians.
Taking cognizance of the shift in focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration to solid minerals, Bulama pledged the collaboration of his agency with the Ministry to harness the resources of FRCN to market the mining sector and effectively sensitize the populace on on-going reforms.
Segun Tomori
Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development.
15th December, 2023.
