Veterans in the media industry have described the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Africa’s media giant with the capacity to become a major training hub for media practitioners across the continent.
The veterans made the comments in Ibadan during a send-off party jointly organised by NAN Ibadan zonal office and the agency’s multimedia unit for retired Senior Photojournalist, Mr Dare Adeogodiran.
NAN reports that Adeogodiran retired as the head of the photo unit in the Ibadan zonal office of the agency at the attainment age of 60 after serving in various capacities at both the agency’s headquarters and Lagos Directorate.
The Ibadan Zonal Manager, Mr Olawale Alabi, said the agency could leverage the huge potential and experience of both retired and serving editors to set up a training centre for aspiring journalists.
Alabi urged NAN management to expedite action towards achieving its goal of establishing a model training school for media practitioners at its already acquired land in Kwara State.
“We have the infrastructure, personnel and material resources to improve the practice of journalism across Africa and beyond,” he said.
He described Adeogodiran as a selfless officer, who always prioritised good job output against self-satisfaction.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Ademola Babalola, advised NAN management not to allow the huge investment in its members of staff to be wasted after retirement.
The NUJ chairman advised that retired personnel could still be placed on contract appointment or as part-time lecturers to effectively pass their experiences to subordinates.
“This can also serve as another source of generating income for the agency,”he said.
Babalola says a photojournalist occupies a risky part of journalism because angry protesters can easily sight and attack journalists handling the cameras.
He commended Adeogodiran for his doggedness and commitment till retirement, despite the risks associated with the job.
Also, the Chairman of the Oyo State Correspondent Chapel, Mr Raji Adebayo, described the celebrator, who doubles as the Secretary of the correspondent chapel, as a committed member who had contributed immensely to the success of his tenure.
In his goodwill message, the NAN Akure Zonal Manager, Mr Adebayo Sekoni, described Adeogodiran as a dedicated official, always ready to exhibit professionalism in the discharge of his duties.
Responding, Adeogodiran appreciated the members of staff for organising a befitting send-off programme for him.
He encouraged the junior colleagues to remain committed to duty, noting that God has His way of rewarding hard work.
He added that the pilgrimage benefit and foreign training he enjoyed while in active service were compensations for some of his recognised exceptional jobs for the agency.
Adeogodiran, who joined the services of NAN in 2002, said he was happy to have contributed his quota to the development of the agency.
