The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, VON, Mallam Jibril Baba Ndace has called on the Nigerian Media to be objective and responsible in their reporting, emphasising the need to project the country in a positive light.
Speaking when the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria, DECAN, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja, Mallam Ndace urged journalists to prioritise national interest and avoid narratives that undermine Nigeria’s security institutions.
He said; “The media should not bring the country down in their reports. If an individual security officer acts wrongly, hold that person accountable, but do not generalise or discredit an entire institution that serves as a national patrimony.”
Mallam Ndace, who was a defence correspondent before his appointment as VON DG, cautioned against using social media to lambast the military and other security agencies, stressing that “many personnel sacrifice their lives daily to protect the nation.”
The VON’s DG assured DECAN members of his support, acknowledging the challenges journalists face, especially those in private media organisations.
“You will face criticism, but stand your ground and continue doing the right thing. If we don’t build this country, nobody will do it for us,” he stated.
Promoting Nigeria’s Narrative
Highlighting VON’s mission, Mallam Ndace reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to shaping a positive narrative about Nigeria and Africa through its broadcasts in eight languages; Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, English, Arabic, French, and Swahili.
He revealed ongoing partnerships with African media organisations, including a content-sharing collaboration with Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation.
“Since my assumption of office, we have been intentional and unapologetic about telling Nigerian stories. No country is perfect, but Nigeria has enough positive stories to populate the media space,” he stated.
DECAN Pledges Collaboration
DECAN President, Ismail Musa described Mallam Ndace as ‘a mentor and role model’, pledging the association’s commitment to promoting national interest while ensuring fair and responsible coverage of the defence sector.
He said; “Our association works closely with the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, and the Office of the National Security Adviser. We are here in solidarity and to congratulate you on your well-deserved appointment.”
Both VON management and DECAN executives attended the meeting, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening media-security relations in Nigeria.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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