Education, news
THE National Assembly has pledged that it would continue to support the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) through legislations, to enable it deliver on its mandate of upholding the integrity of the country.
Sen. Kabiru Gaya, Chairman, Senate Committee on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), gave the assurance when he was received by NAN Managing Director, Mr Buki Ponle, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
He said that NAN had been playing key role in projecting the positive image of the country towards attracting foreign direct investments.
“We will continue to support you in terms of legislations. Wherever you need assistants, as senators we will continue to do our best.
“I have been in the Senate since the 6th Senate and we are now in the 9th senate. Any bill to support you to enhance the image of this country, we will do it,” he said.
Gaya recalled that he was among the sponsors of the North East Development Commission, in spite of the fact the he hailed from North West.
” I will always support any bill that will improve and develop the country, its interests and image,” he said.
The lawmaker expressed joy that NAN had improved tremendously in the area of delivering on its mandate of information dissemination.
“Nigerians are happy and we hope and pray that you will continue to improve to be the best agency that transmits information on the interests and image of Nigeria.
“What we need is to inform other countries what Nigeria is doing and make sure that we publish information that attract investors to come and invest in Nigeria.
“Once the image of the country is improved people will have confident to stay in Nigeria and invest and Nigeria will be highly respected at it shores,” he said.
Gaya hinted that the national assembly was working towards presenting an amended Electoral Act 2021 that Nigerians would be happy with.
Speaking earlier, Ponle said that NAN would continue to project the positive image of Nigeria in support of government efforts to lead the country to the promised land.
“Our paramount objective is to portray Nigeria positively as well as the African continent.
“Throughout my stay, we will ensure that we project the country’s image positively and that is just what we are doing.
“By God’s grace we will ensure that we get to the promise land on which My President is leading us, even after he hands over the baton of leadership. We believe that is Nigeria set on the right path,” he said.
The NAN managing director said that the agency was doing everything possible to improve and also project the image of the country positively.
Ponle said that the agency had recorded improvement in its rating, while it hoped to be among the first top 10 in the first quarter of 2021.
Ponle called for the support from all Nigerians to the government, while expressing optimism that the country will overcome its challenges and reach the promise land in the nearest future.
“All over the world, there can never be rosy time all the time; there can be up there can be down. It is only a focused leader that will carry people along just like Mr President is carrying us along.
“We believe that we are going to succeed in spite of the skirmishes like as kidnapping, banditry, Boko Haram insurgency which is been dealt with decisively. We believe with you people we are going to succeed,’’ Ponle said.
– Feb. 01, 2021 @ 16:27 GMT |
Tags: NASS pledges continuous support for NAN
