Voice of Nigeria (VON) says it plans to engage Nigerians abroad to project positive narratives about the Country through collaboration with Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM).
The Director-General of VON, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace said this when he led a delegation of management and staff of the organisation on a courtesy visit to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, on Thursday in Abuja.
Malam Ndace said VON was determined to partner with NiDCOM particularly in the fight against fake news and misinformation.
The VON boss explained that the organisation was focused on telling the Nigerian story to the world and determined to build on the legacies of the founding fathers.
“VON is focused on building linkages and reaching out to NiDCOM and other stakeholders to deliberately and truthfully, in a consistent manner, tell the Nigeria and African stories,” he said.
Malam Ndace said; “Some of the things you have been doing are in line with the mission and vision of VON, which is to bring out (project) Nigerians wherever they are; whether footballers, entertainers or scientists.
“Nigerians are all over the world, giving their best to the world.
“That is the story you have been bringing out and that is what we are determined to partner with you to help tell it.”
Renewed Hope Agenda
“As DG working with my team, I am determined, especially with the efforts of President Bola Tinubu on his Renewed Hope Agenda, to give Nigerians the leverage to tell our positive stories.
“So, we will work with you in fighting fake news and other negative tendencies, misinformation and disinformation about Nigeria and Nigerians.
“So, wherever you find a Nigerian that is doing well, that Nigerian has the VON platform to help tell his or her story and I think that is what we should do consistently, going forward,” he explained.
Open collaborations
Malam Ndace said VON was also planning to open collaborations with Indonesia and other Asian countries to expand its broadcast in international languages.
He promised to strengthen the relationship with NiDCOM and deploy VON’s platforms to the Commission’s programmes.
“Our partnership with you will never be based on Naira and Kobo but what will benefit, promote and project the positive narrative and the Nigerian stories to the world,” Malam Ndace further said.
In her response, Dabiri-Erewa while appreciating Malam Ndace for the visit, said VON remained an important link between Nigeria and other parts of the world.
She said; “I can mention about 6,000 Nigerians that are doing so well abroad.
“Just yesterday, we celebrated the richest immigrant in the world who happens to be a Nigerian.
“There are many Nigerians in other countries that are doing well but not being talked about.
“We are coming out with programmes that are strictly for those in the Diaspora that are doing well.”
“Meanwhile, the plan by VON to add Chinese and other languages in Asia to the languages of broadcast is remarkable. I wish you the very best.
“A lot of Nigerians in the diaspora have keyed into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu,” Dabiri-Erewa stated.
Challenges
She also highlighted some of the challenges of the Commission, particularly, that of data.
Dabiri-Erewa however, said that the Commission had acquired a portal and a large number of Nigerians were keying into it.
The NiDCOM boss who explained that there were no fewer than 36 Diaspora Focal Persons in the country, urged VON to also engage with them.
According to her, the Commission has a quarterly Diaspora Talkshow Programme that articulates the International Diaspora Day which is celebrated annually on the 25th of July.
Dabiri-Erewa said that “the 2024 edition would be elaborately celebrated.”
“We just introduced the Diaspora Merit Award to reward them.
“However, we look forward to working with you to talk about the ingenuity of Nigerians in the diaspora.
“We look forward to a stronger partnership,” Dabiri-Erewa said.
The highpoint of the visit was the presentation of a souvenir by Dabiri-Erewa to VON’d DG, Malam Ndace.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
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