Date: 2017-04-06

The leadership of the Radio, Television and Theater Arts Workers Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU) has lauded the Kwara State government for its commitment to achieve the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project.

The Union also commended the State government for the ongoing repositioning of state-owned media houses.

National President of RATTAWU, Mr. Garba Tsanni gave the commendation on Wednesday during a courtesy call on the Senior Special Assistant to the Kwara State Governor on Media and Communications, Dr. Miudeen Akorede.

Tsanni said members of the union had on Tuesday visited the Kwara State Television (KWTV) and were delighted with the level of restructuring and equipping the station is witnessing. He, therefore, urged the government not to relent on its effort to improve the quality of its media houses.

The RATTAWU boss also solicited the support of the government towards the growth of the union and training of its members.

Responding, Dr. Akorede expressed confidence that Kwara will be among the first set of states in the country to meet the deadline for the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. "By June, Kwara will be fully ready to participate in the Digital Switch Over," he enthused.

He recalled that when Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed received the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mallam Ishaq Kawu Modibbo early this year, the governor pledged his support for the actualization of total digital switch over in Kwara State.

Speaking further, the SSA Media said that the State government was repositioning the media outfits to improve their efficiency in service delivery and make them self-sufficient and competitive.

He added that Governor Ahmed is determined to make the media organisations commercially viable and not only serve as mouthpiece of the government.

Dr. Akorede disclosed that the State government has procured new digital equipment for Kwara TV, including HD cameras, teleprompter, studio lights, video rack and switcher among others.

The Governor's media aide also called on the leadership of RATTAWU to charge their members to change their attitude to work and be more committed to give their best at all times.