By Suleiman Adamu, Sokoto
The leadership of the Sokoto state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists( NUJ) at the weekend sought a working partnership with the Sokoto Zonal office of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) to drive its programmes and activities.
The state council chairman, Comrade Abdullahi Dalhatu Safiyal-Magori stated when he led chairmen of the six chapels under the council on solidarity and congratulatory visit to the newly established zonal office of the agency.
The chapels include those of Rima Radio, Rima Television, The Path Newspaper, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ministry of Information, Vision FM and Correspondents’.
Safiyal Magori described the appointment of Habibu Harisu as Zonal Manager as well deserved assuring that the union would extend its support to and ensure harmonious working relationship with the agency.
While noting that establishment of the zonal office and Harisu’s appointment as a development , urged the zonal manager to stem and widen the horizon of NAN tentacles for enhanced coverage of the states are DER the zone pointing out that with NAN’s expertise, wider reach and qualitative contents, the public stand to benefit.
” I am convinced that the display of high sense of professionalism and commitment to duty as the driving force of the agency will continue to stand it out globally.”
Responding, the Zonal Manager, Habibu Harisu appreciated the Sokoto state council for the solidarity visit while explaining that the new offices were established to further enhance NAN operations across the country and beyond.
The Zonal Manager said the agency had decentralised its structure with the establishment of six additional zonal offices for administrative convenience, effectiveness and increased coverage.
He however, solicited for more responsive working relations with media outfits as they were NAN clients in building peoples’ confidence in the states.
“In line with the agency’s objectives, this office will at all times and circumstances , ensure and uphold truthful, fair and accurate reportage without prejudice to public and national interest.
‘“ We need to promote harmonious relationship among different groups of people as Federal Government is doing best in uplifting peoples lives and infrastructural development at all levels, ” Harisu said.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto Zonal office of the agency comprise of Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Other offices established are:
Akure, Owerri, Asaba, Maiduguri, Minna and Sokoto including the six old zonal offices are Ibadan, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Bauchi, Kaduna and Jos making a total of 12.
