Inferno: KSMC to relocate operations to ultra-modern complex as NUJ pledges support

From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Five months after a devastating fire destroyed sections of its old headquarters, the Kaduna State Media Corporation (KSMC) has announced plans to permanently relocate all radio and television operations to its new state-of-the-art facility.

The announcement came during a solidarity visit to the station by executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council.

Receiving the delegation on behalf of Managing Director Mr. Ben Kure, Executive Director of Television Services Malam Zakari Aliyu revealed that the fire accelerated plans to transition into the new complex.

Equipment purchased for the facility had been in container storage for over four years.

Although the inferno burned for nearly 12 hours and destroyed the primary recording studio, key transmission infrastructure remained intact, and no casualties were recorded.

“We are not going to wait any longer. More than half of our personnel have already relocated, and very soon all the TV and radio departments will move into this new complex.

“If this structure is finally in place, I think in the whole of Africa we don’t have studios of this nature.

“They can compete not just with Channels or TVC, but with what is obtainable in Al Jazeera and CNN,” Aliyu stated.

He lauded Governor Uba Sani for his swift response during the disaster, noting that Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe was dispatched to the scene while the fire was actively being fought.

Detailed assessments and rehabilitation requests have since been submitted to the state government for intervention.

Speaking during the visit, NUJ Kaduna State Council Chairman Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe expressed deep sympathy with the management and staff, describing KSMC as a cornerstone chapel of the council.

Alabelewe noted that without KSMC’s contributions, the state NUJ council would be “standing on one leg,” citing the media house’s history of producing prominent union leaders and media veterans.

The NUJ Chairman commended the government and management for erecting a facility equipped with high-grade broadcast tools, including a studio capable of cinematic-quality film production.

He praised the corporation’s management for consistently prioritizing workforce welfare beyond basic salary obligations.

In response, KSMC management assured the NUJ leadership that the union would play a key role on the planning committee for the facility’s upcoming official commissioning.

The visit concluded with a joint facility tour of the damaged sections and the new complex.