Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has stressed the need for a robust partnership between the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) that could help build the capacity of FRCN staff and enhance their efficiency.
Speaking during a visit to the BBC headquarters in London on Friday, the Minister said the kind of capacity building he is advocating must be ”inclusive”, leading to a change in the orientation of the FRCN staff.
”An authentic programme that is suitable for our (FRCN) operation must be developed,” he said, noting especially the need for a leadership re-orientation for news media gatekeepers in the corporation.
Mohammed also urged the BBC to be ”more positive about your coverage” and to hear all the sides, including that of the government, instead of hearing just one side.
In his comments, BBC’s Director of News and Current Affairs, James Harding, suggested a gathering of the Editorial leadership of both the BBC and the FRCN to explore possible areas of cooperation between the two.
Earlier, the Director-General of the FRCN, Mr. Mansur Liman, who accompanied the Minister to the BBC headquarters, said the Corporation required training for its staff, especially journalistic training, as well as technology upgrade.
During the visit, the minister and his delegation were taken on a guided tour of the sprawling BBC headquarters, called the New Broadcasting House, by Steve Martins, BBC’s Business Development Manager.
He also held several meetings with the African Service, BBC Media Action, a charity that harnesses the media to help people live better lives; and the Editorial Policy Director, David Jordan, among others.
