Internship Diary: Second Month With BUK FM & TV

A report on the environmental hazards caused by a refuse dumpsite in the metropolitan city of Kano state marked the progression of my internship journey at Bayero University, Kano (BUK) FM and television into the second month. The journey became more intensely demanding with a directive from the Station’s Director who is also the Chairman of Campus Journalists in BUK, Prof. Suleiman Yar’Adua. His directive was for every campus journalist to file an exclusive report on climate change and the environmental pressure that comes with it.

My report focused on the environmental threat which the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board(REMASAB) causes Kano State’s residents through its failure to frequently and properly clear the refuse bed around the ‘Bata’ flyover interchange in Kano. The report was titled “Bata–a Bed of Trash.”    

In addition to this report, I produced a Public Service Announcement (PSA) on the changing weather conditions in Kano State, from the rainy season to the present dry harmattan season. The PSA highlighted the adverse effects of cold weather and the necessary health precautions to take in this season. 

Also, this internship journey has exposed me to several people in positions of authority within BUK and beyond. This exposure comes as the station invites Heads of Institutions, Agencies and Departments to feature on its shows. Although not all invitations get honoured, this experience has taught me to keep the contacts of valuable sources like private organizations and government establishments. 

I have also learnt how to keep and grow my audiences with the consistency of my programmes. This is achieved through punctuality before the programme commences, research and presenting topics or subject matter which are relevant to the audience’s everyday lives. 

 At the moment, I am learning audio editing and I believe I must have mastered this before this internship is over. So far, this is one of the many skills I have learnt on the job. One rule I always keep in mind, however, is the knowledge of how to maintain and use studio equipment such as studio consoles, microphones, headsets, and phone lines during programmes.

As expected, this internship comes with some challenges, especially in the newsroom and with the technical support unit staff members. Newsroom challenges are in every broadcast station or media house but I have learnt to work with people irrespective of the environment. One of the ways to do this is to tolerate people and work with them–this tolerance is what has helped me to come this far. 

End note: Harrison Osabuohien is a participant in the Next Gen/Campus Reporter 2024 Internship Programme. To read about his experiences during the first month of the internship, click here. 

Harrison Osabuohien

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