The Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to institutional reform and national service, stating that his focus is on repositioning the organisation to become a true instrument of national power.
He made this known while receiving the newly elected leadership of the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union (RATTAWU), led by its National President, Emeka Kalu — popularly known as Magic Fingers — during a courtesy visit to the VON headquarters in Abuja.
Welcoming the union executives, Ndace praised their emergence through a 20-hour democratic process during the Seventh Quadrennial National Delegates Conference held in Gombe. He described their victory as a testament to the strength of organised labour and its role in transforming the public service.
The DG highlighted key milestones under his leadership, noting that VON is on a path of institutional renewal. According to him, the organisation is being repositioned as a pan-African and globally respected broadcaster, focused on operational excellence, digital transformation, and international relevance.
With the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, VON is restoring its long-dormant 250KW Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmitter. This, he said, will enable the organisation’s return to shortwave broadcasting for the first time in over a decade — expanding its reach across Africa and beyond.
Ndace also recalled the successful hosting of the first staff retreat in more than ten years, describing it as a moment of strategic reflection and a turning point in staff engagement. The retreat led to the signing of performance bonds with directors and featured professional development sessions, including training on artificial intelligence, corporate risk management, and content innovation.
On international partnerships, he cited renewed collaborations with broadcast organisations in China, Tanzania, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Côte d’Ivoire. These alliances, he said, are crucial to repositioning VON as a bridge between Africa and the world. He also referenced ongoing discussions with the Chinese Embassy to support Mandarin-language programming as part of VON’s multilingual expansion.
Additionally, the DG noted the establishment of strategic partnerships with institutions such as the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), NIGCOMSAT, Galaxy Backbone, and Globacom. These collaborations, he said, are driving digital growth, enhancing staff capacity, and boosting operational efficiency.
Ndace assured the union leaders that his administration prioritises staff welfare — including the regular payment of the 13th-month salary. Describing staff as VON’s greatest asset, he emphasised that all ongoing reforms are rooted in civil service rules and aimed at delivering measurable results.
On recent staff redeployments, the DG clarified that the exercise was an administrative move to reposition the service, following the VON Management Retreat in 2024. He said many staff members have embraced the redeployments with renewed commitment, noting that while reforms may be challenging, they are necessary for sustainable progress.
Speaking on unionism, he called for responsible and constructive engagement, urging RATTAWU to partner with management in protecting workers’ rights while enabling innovation, restructuring, and performance-based governance.
Ndace reaffirmed VON’s alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the strategic direction of the Minister of Information and National Orientation. He pledged that VON would continue to strengthen its platforms, expand partnerships, and invest in its people in the national interest.
He commended Kalu for his service in the media industry, particularly at the Anambra Broadcasting Service, and expressed confidence that under his leadership, RATTAWU would be a credible partner in VON’s ongoing reforms.
The DG reiterated his strategic focus on People, Platform, and Partnership, expressing confidence that with shared purpose and responsible leadership, Voice of Nigeria will rise to become a world-class public broadcaster the nation can be proud of.
In his response, RATTAWU National President, Emeka Kalu, commended the Director General for his visionary leadership and transformative strides at VON.
He appreciated the warm reception and reaffirmed the union’s unwavering support for the reforms. He pledged continued collaboration in advancing staff welfare, professional excellence, and national development.
