VON DG visits Governor Abdullahi Sule, strengthens Media Partnership with Nasarawa State
The Director General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, at the Government House in Lafia, reinforcing strategic collaboration between the international broadcaster and the state government.
Leading the VON management team, Mallam Ndace expressed appreciation for the Governor’s consistent support and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to projecting Nasarawa State’s policies, programmes, and investment opportunities to global audiences. He noted that VON currently broadcasts in multiple languages including English, Hausa, Yoruba, Fulfulde, Swahili, and Arabic, enabling Nigeria’s narratives to reach diverse international audiences.
He highlighted key milestones recorded under his leadership and outlined VON’s strategic vision to expand Nigeria’s global broadcasting footprint. This includes plans to introduce Mandarin among its broadcast languages and ongoing restoration efforts by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to revive VON’s shortwave transmission. The upgrade of the 250KW TX2 transmitter at the Lugbe transmitting station in Abuja is set to restore one of the most powerful broadcasting facilities on the African continent with modern, digitally compatible technology. Upon completion, the fully reactivated transmitters are expected to transform terrestrial broadcasting and strengthen VON’s standing as a respected global radio brand.
The visit, described as a strategic engagement, focused on deepening collaboration between the state government and Nigeria’s external broadcasting service to enhance visibility for Nasarawa’s development initiatives and policy priorities.
Further emphasising VON’s role, the Director General reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to partner with the state in effectively communicating government activities and showcasing Nasarawa’s achievements to national and international audiences.
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Mallam Ndace commended Governor Sule’s leadership at both state and national levels, noting that his administration’s development strides align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He emphasised that Nasarawa State’s vast solid mineral deposits and expansive arable land position it as a prime investment destination.
According to him, VON will leverage its multilingual platforms to promote the state’s economic potential to local and foreign investors, with the aim of stimulating growth, job creation, and increased revenue. He added that with the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, VON remains committed to projecting Nigeria’s and Africa’s stories with credibility, excellence, and innovation while supporting subnational governments in amplifying their development narratives to the global community.
Governor Sule welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the proposed partnership, stressing the critical role of effective communication in strengthening governance and public awareness. He reiterated his administration’s readiness to collaborate with the Voice of Nigeria to showcase the state’s progress, attract investment, and position Nasarawa as a destination for growth and development.
The Governor also lauded the transformation of VON under Mallam Ndace’s leadership, particularly the initiative to introduce Mandarin into the agency’s broadcast offerings. He described the move as strategic and timely, given the presence of Chinese-owned mining companies operating in the state, and expressed optimism that the Mandarin service would enhance engagement with Chinese investors and deepen economic cooperation.
He pledged full support for VON’s initiatives and committed to facilitating structured engagements between the broadcaster and Chinese investors to strengthen the planned Chinese-language service.
Governor Sule further underscored the importance of teamwork, inclusive governance, and strong institutional partnerships in driving sustainable development.
