Jibrin Ndace, director-general of Voice of Nigeria (VON), has partnered with the Cross River government to promote cultural and tourism potentials in the state.
Speaking on Sunday during a courtesy visit to Peter Odey, deputy governor of Cross River, Ndace said the partnership aims to position the state as Nigeria’s top tourist destination.
He said Nigeria should not be defined solely by negative stories, adding that it is crucial to be proactive in addressing misinformation and disinformation that are widespread in the social media era.
He said VON stands out for showcasing Nigeria’s and Africa’s rich cultural heritage and development to a global audience.
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“Since assuming office as the director-general, our focus has been to amplify Nigeria’s positive stories and reduce negative perceptions by marketing our immense potential,” he said.
“We are well-positioned to tell Nigeria’s story better than any other platform on the continent, broadcasting in multiple local and international languages including Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, English, French, Arabic, and Swahili.”
The director-general said Nigeria needs to adopt proactive approach of promoting success stories and developmental achievements, adding that it will improve the global perception of the country.
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“Our country is not all about negative news; there are great things happening here too. We should all join hands to highlight the positives we are known for,” he added.
“When Nigerians travel abroad, they often face unwarranted disdain due to the negative narratives that have been perpetuated. While we may not be perfect, we are certainly more than the stereotypes suggest.”
Also speaking, the deputy governor said the government has implemented measures to restore Cross River as “Nigeria’s preferred tourist destination”.
“Through the office of the commissioner for information, the Cross River state government will partner with Voice of Nigeria to publicize our activities and showcase the state’s potentials to the world,” he said.
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“We look forward to VON’s active participation in covering our flagship events such as Carnival Calabar and other transformative projects under Governor Otu’s administration.”
The meeting was attended by Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River commissioner for information; Sam Nsor, general manager of Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation; and Funke Atohengbe, VON’s director of training.
The VON director-general also paid a visit to key stakeholders in the state, including Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi-Otu V, the Obong of Calabar, at his palace in the state capital.
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