The newly appointed Director- General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, has promised to make a difference during his tenure as head of the agency.
Ndace stated this Monday when he took over the mantle of leadership from the out-gone DG, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, at the VON headquarters in Abuja.
He said he would make the agency compete with its counterparts like the Voice of America (VOA) and British Broadcasting Service (BBC) and others around the world.
“We will strive to confidently compete with our peer organisations around the world. We will imprint ourselves in the mind and hearts of Nigerians and the wider world as a medium that is credible, proactive and innovative.
“The President and the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation gave me a specific directive on what to do. It is to move this place forward to compete with its peers globally.
“It is not rocket science. There is nothing that similar institutions around the world are achieving that we cannot achieve with the right manpower and environment,” he said.
He said he will reposition the agency to correct the negative narratives about Nigeria in the world.
“Nobody will tell our stories for us. I will say it without apology to anyone that Nigeria is not the worst country in the world. Yes, we are not where we should be, but the cup is half full not half empty,” he said.
He hailed VON for being a consistent and credible source of information about Nigeria over the years.
“The Voice of Nigeria is an iconic institution which is as old as independent Nigeria. The motto of VON: ‘The Authoritative Voice’ is very fitting, highlighting the credibility and authority that is a product of decades of experience and dedicated journalism.
“In every chapter of our national life since 1961, the Voice of Nigeria has been a prominent player, first as the external player of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and from 1990, an independent organisation with the mandate to among other things, provide the public service in the interest of Nigeria.”
