Literature
The recent visit by the Honourable Minister of State for Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, is significant in many respects. It underscored the importance of the establishment as the only agency in Nigeria recognised officially to trade news and feature materials to subscribers within and outside the country. It also brought to the fore the laudable achievements the agency has recorded particularly under the leadership of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mrs. Oluremi Oyo.
The tour, which took place precisely on 17th August, is among the first of such official engagements since the minister assumed office early this year. This further underlines the strategic role of the company in the realisation of the vision and mission of the ministry. The minister stressed this fact while addressing the management of the organisation: ?With NAN in place, continuously feeding the broadcast and print media with accurate and timely information, the image of the country and that of Africa will objectively be projected.? He added that Nigeria is endowed enough to become a media power, using NAN as the fulcrum.
Viewed against the backdrop of the fact that the functions of his ministry include the provision of professional information services aimed at projecting the reputation of Nigeria as a responsible society, the minister?s statements are a proof of not just the agency?s importance in the scheme of things but his faith in its ability to deliver. And indeed it has over the years effectively complemented the ministry?s job of disseminating essential and vital information capable of enhancing and facilitating the socio-economic and political development of the nation.
Established on 10th May, 1976, the agency began operation on October 2nd, 1978, with the publication of a 1,670-word general news bulletin, in which its mission of providing ?complete, objective and impartial information, news or news material or features on any matter of public or national interest within and outside the federation? was clearly stated. In line with the undertaking, it became the major feeder of wire reports to the country?s newspapers, using Eddystone Radio and Transtel printers. By 1990s it began to computerise and digitalise its services with digital broadcast receivers that entailed the installation of big satellite dishes and decoders in the premises of its clients. Gradually the system was upgraded to the more modern internet use. It is presently on the net with its Mweb and Galaxy satellite network services, enabling it to engage in multi-media content provision, serving radio and television stations.
In addition to acquiring upgraded technology, other aspects of the organisation have equally witnessed tremendous transformation. They include the building of new office structures, computerisation of newsrooms, upgrading of its libraries and establishment of more outlets in addition to its 20 zonal offices across the country and two foreign centres ? in Johannesburg and New York.
The new outlets comprise the East African bureau and the re-opened offices in London and Abidjan, which, according to the Managing Director, would soon begin operations. The agency also plans to open five additional district offices this year in addition to the 18 existing ones.
As part of its diversification strategies, the agency has established a subsidiary company, NANBiscom, with up-to-date news gathering and dissemination gadgets aimed at rendering training and business services.
News gathering and dissemination being the agency?s main business, the management has ensured the availability of enough hands to carry out the all-important task. According to the Managing Director, the organisation has the largest group of journalists in any single establishment in the country, with 450 journalists stationed in all the states of the federation. And it is currently building facilities, renovating offices and employing more hands in the 36 states.
As a result of these efforts, powered by the visionary leadership of the Managing Director, output has increased greatly. The agency now puts out about 200 news and feature stories everyday as against the paltry 20 news articles sent out weekly a few years ago. It has even gone beyond the conventional news agency chores like news and features reports to serving photographs, film clips and other related services.
The phenomenal transformation has resulted in an equally exceptional rise in the agency?s clientele. According Mrs. Oyo, the clientele has risen from 60 in 2007 to 166 since the commencement of its 24-hour operation and introduction of its Short Message Service (SMS).
These are indeed immense achievements by every definition. And the multiplier effect of the accomplishments is quite visible in especially the Nigerian media scene where most of the media houses rely mainly on the materials from the agency for their news and features. It has positively influenced the benefitting media outfits toward a responsible journalism practice that is the hallmark of the agency. This means that apart from its role of projecting the voice and image of Nigeria to other parts of the world it is as well serving as a pacesetter in ethical journalism. It is no wonder, therefore, that the minister was so full of commendation for the management of the agency. Impressed by what he saw, he assured the management of government?s continued support to enable the agency compete favourably with other international news agencies.
This official assurance could be said to be the major significance of the minister?s visit. It is hoped that government will not only fulfil this pledge but even go beyond the usual support, considering the agency?s enormous projects ahead, so that the impact of the visit would be felt in a manner that leaves no stone unturned.
(c) Pulished in the New Nigerian newspaper.
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Literature
Significance of Maku?s visit to NAN
The recent visit by the Honourable Minister of State for Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, is significant in many respects. It underscored the importance of the establishment as the only agency in Nigeria recognised officially to trade news and feature materials to subscribers within and outside the country. It also brought to the fore the laudable achievements the agency has recorded particularly under the leadership of the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Mrs. Oluremi Oyo.
The tour, which took place precisely on 17th August, is among the first of such official engagements since the minister assumed office early this year. This further underlines the strategic role of the company in the realisation of the vision and mission of the ministry. The minister stressed this fact while addressing the management of the organisation: ?With NAN in place, continuously feeding the broadcast and print media with accurate and timely information, the image of the country and that of Africa will objectively be projected.? He added that Nigeria is endowed enough to become a media power, using NAN as the fulcrum.
Viewed against the backdrop of the fact that the functions of his ministry include the provision of professional information services aimed at projecting the reputation of Nigeria as a responsible society, the minister?s statements are a proof of not just the agency?s importance in the scheme of things but his faith in its ability to deliver. And indeed it has over the years effectively complemented the ministry?s job of disseminating essential and vital information capable of enhancing and facilitating the socio-economic and political development of the nation.
Established on 10th May, 1976, the agency began operation on October 2nd, 1978, with the publication of a 1,670-word general news bulletin, in which its mission of providing ?complete, objective and impartial information, news or news material or features on any matter of public or national interest within and outside the federation? was clearly stated. In line with the undertaking, it became the major feeder of wire reports to the country?s newspapers, using Eddystone Radio and Transtel printers. By 1990s it began to computerise and digitalise its services with digital broadcast receivers that entailed the installation of big satellite dishes and decoders in the premises of its clients. Gradually the system was upgraded to the more modern internet use. It is presently on the net with its Mweb and Galaxy satellite network services, enabling it to engage in multi-media content provision, serving radio and television stations.
In addition to acquiring upgraded technology, other aspects of the organisation have equally witnessed tremendous transformation. They include the building of new office structures, computerisation of newsrooms, upgrading of its libraries and establishment of more outlets in addition to its 20 zonal offices across the country and two foreign centres ? in Johannesburg and New York.
The new outlets comprise the East African bureau and the re-opened offices in London and Abidjan, which, according to the Managing Director, would soon begin operations. The agency also plans to open five additional district offices this year in addition to the 18 existing ones.
As part of its diversification strategies, the agency has established a subsidiary company, NANBiscom, with up-to-date news gathering and dissemination gadgets aimed at rendering training and business services.
News gathering and dissemination being the agency?s main business, the management has ensured the availability of enough hands to carry out the all-important task. According to the Managing Director, the organisation has the largest group of journalists in any single establishment in the country, with 450 journalists stationed in all the states of the federation. And it is currently building facilities, renovating offices and employing more hands in the 36 states.
As a result of these efforts, powered by the visionary leadership of the Managing Director, output has increased greatly. The agency now puts out about 200 news and feature stories everyday as against the paltry 20 news articles sent out weekly a few years ago. It has even gone beyond the conventional news agency chores like news and features reports to serving photographs, film clips and other related services.
The phenomenal transformation has resulted in an equally exceptional rise in the agency?s clientele. According Mrs. Oyo, the clientele has risen from 60 in 2007 to 166 since the commencement of its 24-hour operation and introduction of its Short Message Service (SMS).
These are indeed immense achievements by every definition. And the multiplier effect of the accomplishments is quite visible in especially the Nigerian media scene where most of the media houses rely mainly on the materials from the agency for their news and features. It has positively influenced the benefitting media outfits toward a responsible journalism practice that is the hallmark of the agency. This means that apart from its role of projecting the voice and image of Nigeria to other parts of the world it is as well serving as a pacesetter in ethical journalism. It is no wonder, therefore, that the minister was so full of commendation for the management of the agency. Impressed by what he saw, he assured the management of government?s continued support to enable the agency compete favourably with other international news agencies.
This official assurance could be said to be the major significance of the minister?s visit. It is hoped that government will not only fulfil this pledge but even go beyond the usual support, considering the agency?s enormous projects ahead, so that the impact of the visit would be felt in a manner that leaves no stone unturned.
(c) Pulished in the New Nigerian newspaper.
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Ilias Aliu is an experienced management consultant specialised in customer service management. Trained by the Customer Service Training Institute, USA, he is a member of the Institute of Customer Relationship Management and other professional management...
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