The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, has reiterated the determination of the State Government to professionalise its three broadcasting stations in order to be at par with other international broadcast outfits across the globe. The stations are Radio Lagos, Eko FM and Lagos Television (LTV).

Ayorinde made the disclosure yesterday in his office while receiving the visiting National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Waheed Odusile, accompanied by the Executive members of the Lagos State Chapter of the union.

The commissioner, who expressed his gratitude for the visit, noted that the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode believes that professionalising the activities of the stations and harnessing the power of modern technology will help the State Government to widen its information reach.

He assured the visitors of the government’s commitment to training and retraining of staff as well as improving their welfare, adding that the well being of all staff will continue to be a top priority of the government with the primary objective of ensuring that the abilities of the employees are well utilised and developed.

“The future of journalism is digital. Survival rest on our ability to adapt, so training and retraining of practitioners would be given priority under the scheme of things,” Ayorinde said.

Earlier in his address, Mr. Odusile congratulated Ayorinde on his appointment as commissioner and pledged the support of the union to the State Government.

He commended the State Government for the elevation of the former Web Unit to a full-fledged Department in the Ministry, describing it as a right step in the right direction by the administration as it shows the proactive nature of the Lagos State Government.

While commending the State Government for regular payment of staff salaries, Odusile, however, called for a special package for members of the union in the state public service in view of the peculiarity of their job, explaining that the Federal government has bought in into the Weighing Allowance agitation for media practitioners and that Lagos State could also consider this or replicate it in another form.

He lauded the existing cordial relationship between the union and the State Government and expressed the hope that such relation would be further strengthened by the commissioner.

•Photo shows Ayorinde.

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