Minister Visits BBC Headquarters, Seeks BBC/FRCN Partnership

The 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.

Alhaji 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, had 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.