Thursday December 17, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - The first ever Somali language radio station in Isiolo has opened its doors drawing praises by locals who said the station will be instrumental in providing a platform for advancement of culture and promoting cohesion among residents of the cosmopolitan town.
The founder of the station Abdulhakim Abdulrahman said the establishment of the station was in response to calls from the Somali community in the town for a radio station to provide a platform to address social issues and contribute in advancing the culture.
‘This is a community-based radio station which will primarily seek to address itself to issues of common concern of our people,” Abdulrahman said. “We endevour to use the station to promote education, health, youth and women and empowerment in addition to nurturing the Somali language and culture.”
Noting that the station will not devote much time to politics, the radio founder said it will nonetheless focus on sensitization and educating the public on issues of governance with the view to empowering communities make informed choices in local and national issues.He added that Isiolo Somali Radio will not just be a Somali language radio but will also serve other communities in the area adding the station will be shaped in the form of public broadcasting service to enable it be objective and independent.
Speaking in the same event, civil rights activist Ainab Qassim hailed the opening of the station noting it will go a long way in empowering local communities especially women through information and education.
“We are very happy to have a platform in Isiolo which can reach the common people especially women. The station will serve as a forum to educate and create awareness on cross-cutting issues such as heath, education and a range of social issues,” said Ainab.
She added the Somali community in the area will no longer feel left out but instead partake in management of public affairs from a point of information and knowledge.