The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has announced a strategic plan to reposition the station as a leading continental broadcaster, beginning with the reactivation of its rotating antenna to significantly enhance broadcast coverage across Africa.
This announcement was made during a courtesy visit by the Deputy National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Bimbola Oyetunji, at VON headquarters in Abuja.
Mallam Ndace outlined his vision to reposition VON as a leading voice in Africa, highlighting plans to:
– Reactivate the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) shortwave rotating transmitter, the largest in Africa
– Add three new languages to its broadcast lineup: Chinese Mandarin, Bahasa Indonesia, and Portuguese, bringing the total to 11 languages
– Recruit freelance reporters across major cities in Africa
– Create high-quality content that will showcase the rich cultural heritage of Nigeria and Africa
– Highlight the importance of peace, security, and stability in Nigeria and Africa.
Progress
Mallam Ndace pledged to deploy all VON platforms for comprehensive coverage of the NUJ’s 70th anniversary celebrations.
He described the milestone as historic, not just for the union, but for Nigeria’s democratic journey and press freedom.
The DG emphasized VON’s commitment to supporting professional journalism and promoting narratives that foster peace, unity, and development.
Responding, Comrade Oyetunji commended the leadership of VON for its strategic direction and consistent support for the media industry.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration between the NUJ and VON, anchored on a common goal of advancing journalism as a tool for national transformation.