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Ganduje proposes strong financial backing as prerequisite for establishing media house
Nasiru Yusuf
Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje advocated for strong financial backing as part of prerequisites of establishing media house.
KANO FOCUS reports that Governor Ganduje made the demand while declaring open a two-day roundtable conference on Media Development and Sustainable Funding in Nigeria, held at Bayero University, Kano
Ganduje said this will assure the sustainability of media houses in a highly competitive environment.
“As part of the funding strategy there should be a legal framework for the registration of media houses. Because we have a proliferation of media houses that are not sustainable. That is why they are engage in very cheap publicity and they pollute the environment in hate speeches, unwarranted presentation.
Prof. Abdalla Uba presenting his remarks
“I think most of them have been created without planning. And therefore already plan to fail. So the question of sustainability is rule out.
“I think there should be a legal framework where registration of media houses should have consideration apart of infrastructure, there should be a very strong financial backing. So that sustainability is assured,” Ganduje advised.
Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje
The governor joined the long demand for national funding support to enable media industry recover from the devastating impact of hard economy, occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
Ganduje believed the media industry which suffered equal effect of global health challenges and unfriendly economic environment, deserved similar national attention accorded other industries.
Cross section of participants
Ganduje who emphasized that the primary responsibility of media in agenda-setting and the role of keeping concern authorities in check for good governance are largely being threatened by the economic challenges insisted on the need for government support cannot be more justified.
Although, the Governor opined that besides the funding predicament, Nigeria media environment was equally being struggled with gap in capacity and management failure.
In his address the University Vice-Chancellor Sagir Adamu Abbas said the institution is set to unbundle and end its mass communication program with the establishment of new faculty that will house academic programs such as journalism, development communication, public relations, broadcasting, advertising and film media studies.
Prof. Sagir Adamu Abbas
He further revealed that with the support of the MacArthur Foundation, the university is at an advanced stage of unveiling its Television station, having secured operational license and procurement of facilities.
The VC applauded the foundation for supporting the establishments of digital FM radio station and computer laboratory that can accommodate 150 students.
In his address the keynote Speaker Dr John Momoh said proving alternative sources of the media industry was very paramount, especially with the negative effect of covid 19 pandemic in the industry.
Mr. John Momoh
He noted that social media platforms was seriously affecting the traditional media , hence more alternatives of financing the industry needed to be formulated.
The Director General of Radio Nigeria Dr Mansur Liman Represented by the Director News Malam Sani suleiman described the meeting as timely.
Profs. Umaru Pate and Sagir Adamu Abbas
The convener of the roundtable and Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, in Gombe State, Umaru Pate explained that the conference which draws media executives, professionals, and academics is aimed at charting a new path towards addressing funding and developmental challenges bedeviling the mainstream media industry in Nigeria.
Cross section of participants
Former Kano State Governor and Senator, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has voiced his disappointment and concern regarding the Federal Government’s approach to distributing rice palliatives in Kano State.
During a recent week-long visit to Kano, Senator Kwankwaso observed that while governors in 35 other states received the palliatives directly, Kano’s allocation was controversially handed over to members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), sidestepping the state government entirely.
Senator Kwankwaso condemned this move as a blatant violation of constitutional principles, accusing the government of taking partisanship to an unacceptable level.
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the distribution process and address the issue.
In addition, Senator Kwankwaso expressed concern over the frequent reshuffling of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Kano, noting that three different directors had been posted and reposted within just two weeks, potentially jeopardizing the state’s security.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has inaugurated a postgraduate foreign scholarship program under his foundation, aimed at providing advanced educational opportunities for students from Kano.
The scholarship will enable beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Cybersecurity and Forensic Science, and Robotics Technology in India, China, and Thailand.
During a ceremony in Kano on Monday, where admission letters were distributed to the first batch of 70 recipients, Jibrin emphasized that the selected students would embark on two-year postgraduate programs in these technologically advanced fields.
Jibrin highlighted the rigorous and transparent selection process overseen by a dedicated committee, which prioritized academic excellence.
Only candidates with first-class or second-class upper degrees were considered, ensuring that the most qualified students were chosen.
He stressed that the process was impartial, noting that he had no personal connections with any of the beneficiaries.
Importantly, the scholarship is not limited to students from Kano North, Jibrin’s senatorial district, but is inclusive of all 44 local government areas in Kano State.
“Our goal is to invest in the future of our youth through education,” Jibrin stated.
“We carefully selected these areas of study because they are at the forefront of modern technology.
“This initiative is designed to equip our students with the skills needed for the overall development of our nation.”
Jibrin encouraged the beneficiaries to be diligent in their studies and to represent Nigeria positively in their host countries.
He also expressed that students who find opportunities abroad after their studies are welcome to stay and gain further experience before returning to Nigeria.
Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, the Minister of State for Education, lauded Jibrin for his commitment to advancing education and providing such opportunities for Kano’s youth.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
In a significant academic milestone, the Senate of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) has approved the promotion of 90 senior academics to the ranks of Professors and Associate Professors.
KANO FOCUS reports that the decision was made during the Senate’s 416th meeting, held on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
The promotion list includes 45 academics who have attained the rank of Professor, further bolstering BUK’s academic reputation across various disciplines.
Among those promoted to Professor are Dr. Umar Sani Fagge, now Professor of Arabic Language; Dr. Ibrahim Muazzam Saminu Maibushira, Professor of Islamic Thought and Civilization; and Dr. Tijjani Muhammad Naniya, who has been elevated to Professor of Social and Political History.
In the sciences, Dr. Mukhtar Ridwanu Bunza has been promoted to Professor of Forest Ecology and Silviculture, while Dr. Kasim Muhammad has become Professor of Environmental Engineering. Other notable promotions include Dr. Murtala M. Badamasi as Professor of Geography and Dr. Salisu Maiwada Abubakar as Professor of Nutritional Biochemistry.
The list also highlights the promotion of five female academics to full Professorships, underscoring BUK’s commitment to gender diversity in academia. Among them are Dr. Ummulkhair A. Dantata, now Professor of Hausa Language; Dr. Latifa Musa Pedro, Professor of Health Economics; and Dr. Hauwa Musa Abdullahi, who has become Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In addition to these promotions, 45 academics have been elevated to the rank of Associate Professor.
This includes Dr. Lawal Muhammad Bello in Electrical Engineering, Dr. Warshu Tijjani Rabi’u in Islamic Studies & Shari’ah, and Sunusi Iguda in Mass Communication.
This wave of promotions reflects BUK’s dedication to academic excellence and its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and research within the institution.
The university continues to position itself as a leading center of learning and scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.
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Fagge, Mai Bushira, Naniya now professors as BUK Promotes 90 Senior Academics
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