By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Senator Shehu Buba Umar, representing Bauchi South Senatorial District and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Governorship Candidate in Bauchi State for the 2027 election, has congratulated the management and staff of Azama TV on the occasion of the station’s first anniversary.
Shehu Buba described the achievement as a significant milestone and commended the proprietors of Azama TV, Albarka TV, Eagle TV, and other emerging media organisations for their investments in the broadcasting industry.
He said the emergence and growth of additional television and media platforms would further expand access to meaningful information, education, enlightenment, and entertainment for citizens across Bauchi State and beyond.
The Senator urged other well-to-do individuals and organisations to emulate the proprietors of these emerging media outlets by investing in the media industry and supporting the development of professional broadcasting in the state.
While congratulating Azama TV on reaching one year of operation, Senator Shehu Buba urged the management to remain non-partisan, objective, and professional in its editorial policies, programming, and reportage.
He stressed the importance of responsible journalism and urged the station to maintain high ethical standards while providing credible information and platforms for public discourse.
Shehu Buba also reiterated his earlier call on the Bauchi State Government to invest more substantially in state-owned media organisations, emphasizing that the state’s broadcasting institutions deserve greater attention and modernisation.
According to him, given the long history of broadcasting in Bauchi State, the state-owned radio and television stations should have attained a leading position among broadcasting organisations in Northern Nigeria.
He stated that adequate funding, modern equipment, professional training, improved working conditions, and sufficient staffing are necessary to reposition the state-owned media sector and enable it to compete effectively in the contemporary broadcasting environment.
Shehu Buba further expressed concern over the condition of community radio stations in the state, stressing that they remain vital channels for reaching rural and underserved communities with information on government programmes, education, agriculture, healthcare, and other issues of public interest.
”The Bauchi State Government must not allow community radio stations to die or fizzle out due to a lack of attention,” he said.
He also questioned what he described as inadequate staffing in some state-owned media organisations and the Ministry of Information, despite the government’s much-publicised recruitment exercise.
He therefore called for sustained attention to the media sector beyond what he described as “lip service and window dressing,” urging the government to ensure that recruitment and other interventions translate into measurable improvements in the capacity and effectiveness of media institutions.
Shehu Buba maintained that a vibrant and independent media sector is essential to democratic development, public accountability, and the socio-economic advancement of society.
He once again congratulated Azama TV on its first anniversary and encouraged the station’s management and staff to remain committed to professionalism, objectivity, responsible journalism, and public service.
He wished Azama TV continued growth and success in the years ahead, as contained in a statement signed by Comrade Sabo Mohammed
Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Senator Shehu Buba Umar.
