By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The Drector general of the Voice of Nigeria (VON ), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, says his agency is set to collaborate with the Bayero University, Kano Alumni Association (BUKAA) for development of education in the institution.
Ndace described the University as a fertile ground for robust learning and constructive engagement.
The VON boss stated this when he received the executive members of BUKAA, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter led by its chairman, Mr Alhassan Muhammed.
Ndace strrssed that, inspite of position occupied in the society, Nigerians and alumni of higher institutions should always remember their alma mater.
According to him, this will help in contributing to the development of education, research and inspire the younger generation.
“There is need for us to give back to our alma mater and to the society in general.
“It is important to always give back to your alma mater no matter how small. It is very important that you galvanized all of us and whatever we can do no matter how little to give back to our institutions.
” We must be seen to have a sense of responsibility and connection towards our institution,” he said.
Speaking on the importance of alumni associations, Ndace said it provides a platform for networking which essential for success in life.
“For you to consider yourself a successful person you must have good network that is your networth.
“It is not enough to be educated but the question is what is your skill, what is your network?, ” he asked.
He said would support the association in its forthcoming Congress scheduled to hold on November 30, 2024 by giving it elaborate coverage to enlightened Nigerians on the good works of the association.
According to him, anything that BuK is doing whether at the national or Abuja level, the support of VON should be taken for granted.
“VON will consistently tell the stories of not just BUK but all other alumni around the world so that people will know what we are doing. “
“VON as a public institution that broadcast in 8 languages is committed to shaping positive narratives about Nigerians and Africans in this age of fake news and misinformation.
“VON is one of the most important public institutions that was established by the wisdom of our founding fathers not just to shape narrative about Nigeria and Nigerians but also about Africa and Africans.
“The role of Voice of Nigeria is more important now that we are in the age of noise, misinformation and misinformation.
“Therefore as a country, as a people and as institutions we must be very intentional in telling our stories and that is what we are doing at Voice of Nigeria. If we don’t tell our stories nobody will tell it for us.
“As a people we are always shy of telling our stories so when we travel out of the country we are profiled based on the perception that is created by conduct of very few persons.”
Speaking earlier, Muhammed, lauded VON for speaking for Nigerians and the voiceless and for promoting the culture and unity of the country.
While urging Nigerians to support education, he said it is the key for the development of the society.
“We are supporting education. Education is the key , there is no country in the world that can make progress without education.
“It is through education that people think out of the box and churn out researches that benefits the society.”
He said the main objectives of the association is to give back to their alma mater.
” We have heard a lot of complaints that government is not doing enough in funding education but anytime you ask people what they are you doing within their sphere of influence you hit a brick wall.
“So we want to change the narrative. As an individual you may not go far but as a group we can go very far.
“For us FCT is very strategic because we have policies and decisions makers and we have thousands of members who are working in different places and pursuing different endeavours, we want to harmonise our efforts to see how we can give back to the very institution that has made us who we are today,” Mohammed said. (NAN)