BY PATRICK MGBODO
Delta State Government, today, urged private media outfits to embrace innovation and operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, rather than relying solely on government support for survival.
The Commissioner for Works (Rural Road) and Public Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu gave the charge while hosting the management of Kruzz 92.9 FM Asaba led by its General Manager, Mr Lawrence Okpewho. Aniagwu assured that the state government was making deliberate efforts to provide a conducive environment that will enable investors, including media businesses to grow and flourish across the state. As part of his counsel to the new radio station, the commissioner said, ‘’Before you begin to think of what the government can do to assist you, you must first know that it is possible for you to also survive, even without help from the government.
‘’If you do not have this mentality, survival will be difficult because the government will not be in a position to give you as much help as you would desire. That said, it means the government will not shy away from also assisting you in one way or the other’’ he said.
While sympathizing with Kruzz FM on the challenges they had earlier encountered in the cause of their startup, Aniagwu urged them not to be deterred but to learn from the experience going forward. Among other submissions, the information commissioner urged Kruzz FM to take advantage of the largely untapped media space in Asaba and its environs to make their mark, stressing the need for them to be responsible in their broadcasting while also serving the public.
The state’s spokesman further cautioned staff members of the organization to take their jobs seriously and desist from acts that could sabotage their employer as they would also share in the repercussions of their actions, positively or negatively.
‘’You must put in the sacrifice, particularly at this initial stage and even when you make a name, you still require more sacrifice to keep that name. Otherwise, you would understand that the media landscape has changed for good. ‘’You must recognize that you have competitors at all times and if you are not able to compete favourably, you end up crying that there is no money to fund your endeavors’’, the commissioner said.
Earlier, the General Manager of the Radio Station, Mr Okpewho said Kruzz FM, currently on test transmission, was ready to support the policies, programmes and projects of the state government, while discharging other functions of the media. ‘’The concept of the station is 70 per cent Pidgin (broken English) and 30 per cent English. This is because we want to ensure that we get to the grassroots. Apart from that, we also want to emphasise those things that will create employment, mobilise people and make the people more patriotic’’ Mr Okpewho said.
