The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) on Thursday, performed the foundation laying ceremony of an ultra-modern studio and transmitter hall of its Prime FM Radio 101.5 F.M at Mount Patti, Lokoja, Kogi.
Speaking at the event which also marked the 10th Anniversary celebration of the station, the Director-General, FRCN, Dr Mansur Liman, said Prime FM had been experiencing poor coverage over the years.
He explained that its signals reached only four out of the 21 local government areas of the state that enjoyed its broadcasting services, due to the wrong location of the station.
He noted that the approval of the ultramodern studio and transmitter was given by the FRCN management in 2014, but could not take off due to some unforeseen challenges.
He, therefore commended the General Manager of the Station, Alh. Momohjimoh Adeiza, for his unrelenting efforts to ensure its actualization.
According to him, the Prime FM 101.5MHZ, Lokoja, is one of the 42 FM stations sited in all states across the county, which has been discharging its primary responsibility of promoting peace and unity in Kogi for decades.
He noted that in spite of its inherent challenges, the station had succeeded in discharging its primary mandate of informing, educating, and entertaining the good people of the state.
He urged the general manager to make sure that under his watch, the relocation to Mount Patti was achieved in order to compete favorably in wide coverage.
This, he said, required clear reception to discharge its primary responsibility to the good people Kogi.
Liman, who was represented by FRCN‘s Zonal Director, North Central, Mr. Haruna Idris, said they would ensure fair coverage of the 2023 general elections.
” Though the nation is no doubt passing through challenging times, we should play our role as the fourth estate of the realm, as impartial arbiters to ensure that the forthcoming general elections are conducted in a free and transparent atmosphere.
”We in Radio Nigeria are committed to this. We must continue to adhere to the proud traditions of FRCN of upholding the people and uniting the nation through objective, balanced, fair, and excellent news and programming,” he said.
Kogi Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello, who performed the foundation laying event, said any institution that made information dissemination a core priority would definitely enjoy the support of his government.
Bello, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Edward Onoja, assured the Prime FM of the government’s support from the beginning of the project to its conclusion.
He stressed that Kogi remained the best in security, unity, inclusiveness, economy, productivity, infrastructural revolution, adding, ”We make bold to say we have done the best under my leadership”.
The governor urged the media to intensify campaign in sensitising the people to go get their PVCs and be ready to cast their votes during the 2023 general elections.
Bello noted that the extension of the Prime FM coverage to other LGAs would further boost security across the state.
