By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
Voice of Nigeria, VON, yesterday in Calabar ,the Cross River State capital, strengthened ties with the state government, for wider dissemination of its programmes and projects in the effort to reposition the state.
During a courtesy visit on the state deputy governor, Rt.Hon. Peter Odey, the Director General, DG, of VON, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, in company of the Director, Training, and other staff, stated that the media organization was well positioned to tell Nigeria and Africa’s story better than any other platform in the African continent.
The DG, who stated that VON was fully prepared for it its task of changing the narrative, stressed that since assumption of office as the DG, the focus has been to publicise the role of VON as the frontline story-telling agency in Nigeria, poised to reduce the country’s negative image by marketing its potentials.
He said, “Let us partner to tell Nigeria’s story, especially, in this era of social media distortions, outright lies, misinformation and disinformation. Our country is not all about negative news, we have great things happening here too. We should all join hands to tell the positives that we are known for.
“VON has a unique role with a mandate to tell, not only the story of Nigeria, but the story of Africa as a whole, and we do this in four Nigerian languages: Hausa, Yoruba, Igbos and Fulfulde. For the international languages, we broadcast in English, French, Arabic and Swahili.
“Telling Nigeria’s story is something that all of us should be intentional and deliberate about. This is not a time for us to do good and be quiet. We must be unapologetic in telling Nigeria’s story confidently.
“As a person, when you travel out with Nigerian passport, you are treated with disdain, unbefitting of your status. This unacceptable treatment is traceable to negative stories people have peddled about Nigeria. We may not be perfect, but we are not what is being portrayed.”
Ndace commended the harmonious working relationship between the deputy governor and his principal, Governor Bassey Otu, attributing the feat to their background in conflict resolution and interpersonal relationship.
He offered the VON platform to the government and people of Cross River State for the publication of the numerous developmental programmes instituted for the benefits of the citizens.
Responding, the state deputy governor, Rt. Hon. Odey eulogized Malam Ndace as a “true and thoroughbred professional,” whose wealth of experience has repositioned the VON globally.
The deputy governor enumerated measures taken by the state government to re-establish Cross River State as the preferred tourist destination in Nigeria, pledging to collaborate with VON and support initiatives that would be for the benefit of the people.
Odey said, “Through the office of the Commissioner for Information, the Cross River State government will partner with VON. We need VON to publicise all our activities, showcase Cross River State to the world.
“Henceforth, we need active participation of VON in the coverage of our flagship tourism festival, Carnival Calabar and other lofty programmes and projects of the Prince Otu-led administration because we are investing in infrastructural development.”
Present at the visit were the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Erasmus Ekpang, the General Manager of the Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Sam Nsor, and the Director of Training, Voice of Nigeria, Mrs. Funke Atohengbe, amongst others.
