Media
MR Dianabasi Effiong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief (DEIC), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), has called on the Federal Government to adequately fund the agency to ensure a good succession plan for its aging workforce.
Effiong made the call at a mini retirement party organised for him and Mrs Chinyere Bassey, by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), NAN Lagos Chapel.
For Bassey, she retired as an Assistant Editor-in-Chief (AEIC).
Effiiong said that NAN needs more funding from the Federal Government to enable its workforce perform optimally.
“Such funding will enable the management to improve its operations especially the multimedia, strengthen the editorial department and its reporters; it will also strengthen other departments,” he said.
According to him, the agency needs more staff to replace those that are retiring, especially in the editorial department.
“There are no longer level eight staff in the agency and even level nine will soon be gone after the release of the just concluded promotion exam.
“Stagnation, especially at the senior cadre, is a problem which should also be addressed,’’ he said.
Effiong while reminiscing on his journey in NAN, urged reporters to take advantage of the training opportunities provided by the management to improve in their career.
“I am not ungrateful; I have an affection for NAN when I was employed as a young man; today it is time to say goodbye to NAN as an employee.
“This has been my home, my school, my family and I have grown here as a reporter, writer, editor, mentor and content manager.
“I hope to always exhibit the values that NAN has put in me; I thank every management staff, all the workers and those I interacted with, some of whom have become friends,” he said.
Effiong, who prayed for more opportunities, added that the time spent in the agency contributed to the shaping of his life.
Mr Adeleye Ajayi, Head, Lagos Operations, expressed joy over the meritorious retirement of the editors who have spent over three decades in the agency.
Ajayi said that the retiring editors were passionate and dedicated to their work while mentoring young reporters.
He urged editors and reporters to emulate the work attitude of the retiring editors.
Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, Head of Editorial Operations, NAN Lagos, said the retirees were more than colleagues to her.
“They were like family members to me.”
Omowole urged members of the editorial department to ensure that the love that existed in the Lagos newsroom returned.
The NAN Lagos Chapel, NUJ chairman, Mr Yunus Yusuf commended the retirees for mentoring the young reporters and their contributions towards the growth of the agency through their works.
NAN reports that Bassey retired on Aug. 17 after 35 years of meritorious service in the agency, while Effiong retired after the mandatory retirement age of 60 years. (NAN)
22nd August, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Dianabasi Effiong NAN News Agency of Nigeria Nigerian Union of Journalist
