Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has said that the state government has acquired digital equipments that would make the state-owned Anambra Broadcasting Service, (ABS) competitive and one of the best in the country.

Speaking during a ceremony to mark the 30^th anniversary of the broadcast outfit at the Women Development Center, Awka, Obiano said the installation of the equipment would be done in the next six weeks.

He noted that his government’s decision to invest in the media was based on the important role it plays in disseminating information about government activities and also in educating the masses.

Obiano reiterated that without a powerful media, the people would not follow government activities, saying that reason played the motivating role in the decision to acquire the new digital equipment, which, after its installation, would help to improve its reach.

“With the digital installation, ABS will become one of the most powerful stations in the country. We are doing this because my administration holds the media in very high esteem,” he said.

The guest lecturer at the event, Professor Pat Utomi, commended the governor for injecting new life into ABS, adding that it would enable the outfit carry out its statutory functions.

“I had been to the ABS studio in Onitsha and I was not happy with what I saw. Anambra is the original heart of the old Eastern Region and should, therefore, lead in everything. I am, therefore, happy that government has stepped in to improve the situation,” he said.

Utomi described the media as very influential, adding that the concern of people should be how to avoid abuse of that influence.

He further observed that because of its high influence, the media serves as a tool for development, and warned against corrupting the media because that could lead to its destruction.

•Photo shows Governor Obiano.

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