The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali M. Ali, says his leadership has blocked financial leakages to improve staff welfare since assumption of office.
Ali said this on Wednesday at retirement programmes held in honour of three members of staff of the agency in the Lagos Directorate.
The valedictory sessions were organised separately by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NAN Lagos Chapel; and Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria for their retiring members.
NAN reports that Moses Omorogieva, 56, retired on Wednesday as a Senior Editor in the Editorial Department, having served for 35.
While Augustina Nwoba, 58, an Assistant Director, Planning, Research and Statistics, will retire on November 14, and Yetunde Ijadeyila, 59, Chief Confidential Secretary to the Managing Director, will bow out on November 22, both having worked for 35 years.
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Ali said: “We have blocked leakages to save money to take care of the workers’ welfare.
“We are trying the best we can to improve the welfare of workers.”
Ali noted that blocking leakages like huge expenses on diesel through installation of solar had helped the agency resuscitate and increase some welfare packages for workers, including repatriation benefits for retired staff.
Congratulating the retiring staff for serving meritoriously for 35 years and for being true to the agency, he said that they had devoted a substantial part of their lives to the service of the agency.
The MD said: “The agency is forever indebted to their services.
“And I wish them success in the next stage of their lives and assure them that they may have retired, but they are still part of the NAN family.
“They should feel free anytime so long we are there to suggest ways to improve whatever is being done in the agency.”
Ali urged serving members of staff to emulate sterling qualities of commitment and dedication to service exhibited by the retired and retiring staff.
“My word to those who are still active is to also think of what legacy they will be bequeathing at the point of their exit,” he added.
He said that his leadership was working hard to improve infrastructure for the agency to navigate the digital environment so as not to lag behind.
Expressing his commitment to staff training and retraining, Ali said the agency needed smart and super reporters who could do text, video and audio.
He said: “They (reporters) have to be given the right training, they have to be given the right work tools, they have to be given the right environment.
“And then we will let them into the world to compete like others who are also digitally savvy.”
Ali urged workers to continue to be more committed and promote the course of NAN.
Speaking, Adeleye Ajayi, the Head of NAN Lagos Directorate, urged the retired and retiring members to continue to keep fit and to always remember NAN as their alma mater.
Ajayi, who urged them to maintain the ethics they have imbibed in NAN, prayed God to keep them in sound health and peace of mind.
Speaking, RATTAWU Chairman, Deji Fadipe, who congratulated the retiring union members for a successful service to their fatherland, urged them not to relent in taking good care of their health and maximising the opportunities that abound.
Fadipe urged the agency to do more in celebrating retiring staff, particularly the payment of repatriation allowance.
Also speaking, Yusuf Yunus, the Chairman, NUJ-NAN Lagos Chapel, who commended the dedication of the retired unionists, said that they would be missed.
Responding, Omorogieva, who described his service in NAN as a great privilege having joined NAN after secondary school education, said the agency had given him opportunities.
He said: “NAN blessed me tremendously.
“Of course, I came here as a young single person, but today I am married, have children and made some success and impacts.”
Urging serving members of staff to be committed and passionate about the agency’s mandate, Omorogieva advised them to build NAN and take it to a higher ground.
Also speaking, Nwoba, who expressed appreciation to God, urged members to continue in genuine love and affection for one another as members of same family.
He said: “This love should continue because we are one big family here in NAN.
“So, we should work as a team.
“And whatever affects one should affect all.”
Similarly, Ijadeyila, who expressed gratitude to God for seeing her though thick and thin, said: “I am happy today.
“I have fulfilled my vision.”
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