Flowerbud News
The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ali M Ali, has commended members of staff of the agency for their cooperation and hard work in the last one year.
Ali gave the commendation in Lagos during a valedictory congress held in honour of Mr Moses Omorogieva, a Senior Editor, who retired from the service of the agency on Wednesday.
The event was organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NAN Lagos chapel.
The MD appreciated Omorogieva and other staff’s commitment to duty in spite of the challenges confronting the agency.
“It is so alarming and worrisome the rate at which the good ones are retiring. I am aware the Editor-in-Chief will also be retiring next month.
“I know this is a natural course and I feel a little bit of emptiness that Moses is leaving.
“The testimonies so far confirmed that there is a lot in the name Moses, when I look at him and the biblical Moses.
“Moses is a jolly good fellow, he has left unblemished record and this is a moment of joy for me.
“What I see here is genuine love and affection for Moses. He has been able to place NAN on the global map as a reporter, this is what I expect from all of you as well. Moses has done well. Congratulations.
“And to the entire staff of the agency, I am happy we are all on the same page and I must salute your hard work, commitment and understanding so far,” he said
He advised the editoral staff to cultivate the habit of re-confirming the content of their reports before being published.
Ali expressed excitement that as the MD of the agency, he had been able to bridge the communication gap between the management and the members of staff.
He explained that one of the strategies he adopted was the quarterly zoom meetings organised for all staff within the nation as well as making himself accessible through his social media handles.
He encouraged all staff of the editotial department to consider themselves as reporters as the different designations that exist were merely for ease of administration.
“Editorial department takes precedence over all other departments. Please don’t work on assumptions, there are always two sides to a story, always confirm.
“I am happy that a lot of communication gaps have been minimised in the last one year of my leadership here.
“Another thing I am happy about is that I see positive energy among the staff, we must harness this to reposition the agency well.
“I advise you all, never cease to take a moment to make the next person happy. We may not provide all that we want but we try to provide all what we need,” he added.
Speaking on the next project to be attended to at the Lagos office, Ali said plans were underway to connect the electricity there to the national grid.
He said this would bring a halt to the suffering of the members of staff.
“I appreciate you all because all of you have helped to ship the management to remain on course. We are looking at improving the ambience here in Lagos.
“I must commend all of you for exhibiting some sense of respect and for listening to us to refrain from engaging in negative habits,” he said.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Head of NAN, Lagos Operations, appreciated Omorogieva for his dedication to the agency’s service as he had always been known for excellence.
Similarly, Mrs Bola Akingbeyin, a Deputy Editor-in-Chief with NAN, described Omorogieva as a selfless individual who always responds promptly to help others.
In the same vein, Mrs Edith Bolokor, Assistant Editor-In-Chief with NAN, who showered prayers on Omorogieva, encouraged him to never relent in being good to others.
Also speaking, Mr Yunus Yusuf, Chairman, NUJ, NAN Lagos chapel who worked with Omorogieva when he functioned as the Secretary, appreciated his selfless service to the union.
Yusuf described Omorogieva as a partner in progress and a good ally whom he would miss greatly.
Responding, Omorogieva who spoke on his lofty achievements as a crime correspondent, said “I want to thank God for good health.
“Thank you to the agency, 35 years ago I came to NAN, young and healthy, I can assure you that I am healthier than that now.
“I love this NAN family, it is a place to be in every aspect, let the love continue, let unity continue.
“I don’t want segregation. I am an Edo man in the midst of Igbos, Yorubas, let’s be one family and I want to say again, thank you for your love and understanding during my stay here,” he said.
NAN
