The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace, has reiterated the agency’s unwavering commitment to staff welfare in Nigeria, with a promise to sustain the 13th-month salary payment as a morale-boosting measure.
Speaking on Monday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the newly elected National Executive Council of the Radio, Television and Theatre Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), Ndace emphasised that employee wellbeing remains his top priority.
He congratulated RATTAWU’s new President, Emeka Kalu, describing his emergence as “well-deserved” due to his impactful work at Anambra Broadcasting Service.
“Leadership must be inclusive, even of those who didn’t vote for you. It’s about collaboration, not agitation,” Ndace stated.
Ndace reaffirmed his commitment to staff welfare, stressing that it ranks highest among his priorities at VON.
“When I assumed office, I made it clear: my first, second, and third priority is the welfare of our staff. We paid a 13th-month salary last year, and we plan to make it an annual tradition. Some employees received alerts as early as September – they were surprised, but we remain committed.”
He lauded RATTAWU’s strategic role in strengthening Nigeria’s media workforce and urged union leaders to contribute solutions alongside identifying problems.
“We’re ready to listen, but we must also work within our public-sector budget,” he added.
Ndace highlighted ongoing institutional reforms, including plans to restore the long-dormant 250KW Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) transmitter – marking a return to shortwave broadcasting for the first time in over a decade.
Other achievements, he said, include hosting internal staff retreats, AI and digital media training and international partnerships with China, Tanzania, and Egypt.
“Our strategic pillars remain people, platform, and partnership. With responsible leadership and shared vision, VON will become a world-class broadcaster,” Ndace said.
In his own remarks, RATTAWU President, Emeka Kalu, popularly known as “Magic Fingers,” praised Ndace’s leadership and pledged stronger collaboration.
“We bring vigour, value, and vow to the union’s voice. When you love yourself, you’ll love your job – and that’s how we’ll ensure accurate information delivery.”
Kalu reaffirmed RATTAWU’s readiness to deepen engagement and forge strategic alliances to enhance media professionalism in Nigeria.
