Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has advocated for the commercialization of government agencies through partnerships to reduce overdependence on government funding.
The governor made the call on Monday when he hosted a delegation from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) led by the Director-General, Dr. Muhammad Bulama, at the Government House in Minna.
He observed that it was time for government institutions to operate as businesses, adding that this was an era of commercialization.
He said doing so would not only curtail overdependence on the government but would also engender development.
He noted the contribution of FRCN to nation-building, which cannot be ignored, revealing that the state government will collaborate with the organisation for mutual benefits.
He made some suggestions to the agency on how they can best initiate more collaborations to get funding to address their challenges. He welcomed the idea of establishing the FRCN studio in Minna, describing it as laudable.
Earlier, the D.G., FRCN, Dr. Muhammad Bulama, explained that their visit was to seek collaboration with the state government to enable the organisation to operate maximally.
The DG said inadequate equipment, power supply, training, and retraining were some of the challenges facing the organisation, expressing confidence that the collaboration will trigger development not only for the state but also for the country at large.
He decried the current situation of the FRCN Kaduna, pointing out that he intends to involve all 19 Northern Governors in reviving it.
Dr. Bulama commended the farmer governor for his developmental strides in the state and pledged to avail the state of all its services as it plays a significant role in the country.