Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Director-General (DG), Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibril Ndace, has advised Nigerians to desist from projecting the country in bad light to the world.
Ndace gave the advice during a visit to the Chairman of the Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Igwe Samuel Asadu, in his palace at Edem Ani, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The DG said Nigeria faced the challenge of other countries not getting to know about the good things happening within it.
According to him, Nigeria is not the worst country in the world and with citizens’ attitudinal change, Nigerians should start to showcase positive narratives of the country.
Ndace said no country was perfect but with the Federal Government’s support, VON had promised to be intentional in creating positive narratives of Nigeria, Nigerians and Africans as established.
Ndace, therefore, said his visit was to partner with the traditional ruler to showcase the cultural heritage of the Igbos.
The DG said Asadu, who had spent many years in the United States of America, needed to be celebrated for his philanthropic activities.
“I make bold to say that the medical sector of the USA will not survive without professionals from Nigeria like you.
“There are more than 20,000 Nigerians who are like his royal majesty, who had put their lives in the service of the US.
“What defines you is your giving back to the society. You had a good life in America but decided to give to your community and others,” he said.
Ndace assured that with VON, the narratives of the Igbo and Nigeria in general would change.
He said VON broadcasts its programmes in eight languages, including four indigenous languages: Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa and Fulfude.
He listed the international languages as English, French, Arabic and Swahili.
In his response, the traditional ruler thanked Ndace and his team for coming to partner with him and for not being discriminatory.
He described change as a social strategy, emphasising the need for Nigerians to begin to accept change.
According to him, change will come to the country if there is individual behavioural change.
He explained that he engaged in philanthropic exercise as a way of giving back to society.
