News Investigators/ The Acting Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Biola Lawal, has called for close working relations with Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) to promote national growth.
Mr. Lawal made the call on Thursday during his courtesy visit to the newly appointed Executive Secretary of NCPC, Yakubu Pam, in Abuja.
According to him, though the relationship between NAN and NCPC is age long, there is need for both organisations to deepen the partnership to move the nation forward.
The Ag. MD, who led a team of NAN management staff to NCPC Headquarters in Abuja, congratulated Mr. Pam, a Reverend, on his appointment.
Mr. Lawal emphasised the need for more to be done to strengthen the mutual relationship between both organisations.
“Under your leadership of the Commission, I look forward to NAN having a more robust relationship with you and to continue to do our best as an agency.
“There is so much to do in this COVID-19 era because people talk; but they would listen more to people like you because they have respect for you.
“Despite government circulars on COVID-19, people are not taking the issue seriously, even the issue of safety guidelines.
“It (COVID-19) does not know anybody, whether Christian or Muslim; if people like you talk about it more, it is bound to have effect.
“Whatever you want to do, NAN is there. It is part of our efforts to sensitise Parastatals to talk.
“So whatever our achievements are, collectively, it means Nigeria is making progress.
“When you are making progress and you are not talking, the generality of the people will not know.”
Mr. Lawal explained that the agency had established platforms such as SMS, NAN PR-wire and NAN Multimedia services, among others, to promote national unity through factual and balanced news dissemination.
In his response, Pam expressed appreciation to Lawal and his team for the interest to strengthen ties between both orgnisations.
He noted that this was the second visit by government officials to the Commission since his assumption of office on the 7th of July, 2020.
He reiterated his confidence in NAN operations as an organisation that is capable of restoring the image of the Commission.
“The only institution that will raise the image of this place is nobody but you because we know this place has suffered a lot of damage in the face the public owing to several activities that have taken place here.
“But glory be to God; God has raised you as Apostles to come to help us to correct that past.
“I have no doubt in my heart that your visit is going to correct a lot; we are going to work together not just for NCPC, but for the image of this country,” Pam said.
NAN reports that the visit ended with the signing of visitor’s register by the NAN team and group photograph by officials of both organisations. (NAN)
