The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Kaduna marks not only 50 years of its existence but also five decades of its contribution to the growth and development of the country, particularly the Northern region. The radio station which started broadcasting as Radio Television Kaduna back in 1962 was set up by the then Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, as a counterweight to radio stations in the Western and Eastern parts of the country. It was also tasked with the responsibility of fostering cohesion among the different socio-ethnic groups in the region.
The radio station has, without a doubt, become one of the enduring legacies of the late Premier and has continued to serve as a rallying point for the different groups in the region whose interests and aspirations it has striven to protect since its existence. Despite enormous challenges of poor funding, obsolete equipment, inadequate manpower, etc, the station has to its credit maintained its credibility to the extent that up until today, its listeners are quick to believe any news item it airs. Perhaps it is in view of its political leverage that previous administrations tried to weaken it.
Although the federal government may have had genuine intentions in wanting to take over ownership of all regional radio stations after the civil war in order to foster national cohesion, that however marked the beginning of the decline of the stations. In spite of this, FRCN, Kaduna continued to adhere to the high professional standards of broadcasting and spread its reach to all corners of the Northern region and beyond. Its signals were picked up even in far places as Ghana, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. It is to its credit that it was able to maintain correspondents in all states of the Northern region which made it possible to get the news ahead of its competitors. The station was also noted for providing a launch pad for some of the finest broadcasters that the region has produced over the years - some of whom have gone on to make their mark on the national scene.
In its hey day from the 70s to the 90s, the station boasted qualitative and highly educational programming that endeared it to its listeners. The crop of professional broadcasters and administrators it had were such that understood their diverse audience and tailored programmes to suit them and in so doing it became one of the most influential media organizations in the country. The station has continued to play pivotal roles in educating and enlightening the public during elections especially in the second republic and in curtailing crises which at times threatened the unity of the country.
While we praise the late Sardaunan Sokoto for his foresight and vision in setting up the radio station, the present set of leaders in the region must take the flack for abandoning his ideals. The New Nigerian, another of his legacies, has been left to rot without any workable action plan to revive this once influential voice of the North. We salute Radio Kaduna as it celebrates its 50th anniversary and wish it many more years of service to the nation.
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