Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has called for synergy between departments in the agency toward achieving its mandate.
Ali said this at the Valedictory Editorial Management Meeting for Malam Ahmed Maharazu, the Deputy Editor-In-Chief (Defence & Security) who retired from service after the attainment 60 years of age on Monday in Abuja.
Ali said the agency’s marketing and editorial departments, must collaborate to achieve the desired result.
“Staff members from all departments in the agency are not competitors, they need to work together and not at cross purpose,” he said.
Ali commended the editorial staff, particularly the story controllers, saying that the department must work harder to deliver on its mandates.
He, however, added that being a controller or an editor was not about being nice, but about doing things right in terms of pushing out quality and error-free copies.
Ali said though the agency had enormous challenges, he would not be daunted, but would keep working to overcome such challenges.
He lauded the retiring Deputy Editor-In-Chief for his dedication to duty.
“I have known Maharazu over the years; I can say that he stands out as a good journalist, we have immensely benefited from his experiences, reach and contacts.
“He has indeed made his marks in the agency and I see him working with his shoulders high as he leaves the agency,” he said.
He added that Maharazu had been instrumental to a number of successes in the agency’s editorial operations, but regretted that he was leaving at the middle of doing something instrumental and revolutionary.
“Congratulations as you retire, may the next chapter of your life be as exciting and as rewarding,” the NAN MD said.
Ali urged other members of staffer to emulate Maharazu’s humility, dedication to duty and leadership qualities.
Mr Ephraim Sheyin, the agency’s Editor-in-Chief congratulated Maharazu and thanked God for his life, saying his humility, simplicity and dedication to duty was commendable.
Others who spoke included Francis Onyeukwu, Gregory Maduakolam pored encomiums on the retiring deputy EIC, describing him as a thorough breed professional, complete gentleman, humble, and a great mentor and controller.
“He is simple, gentle, truth-worthy and very reliable, we will miss him, I wish him well and the very best in retirement and congratulate,” Hajiya Hadiza Aliyu, Head of the agency’s Health Desk said.
Mrs Deborah Coker, who worked directly with Maharazu in the agency’s Defense Desk which he headed, wished him a blessed retirement years, saying working with him made her a better person.
“You are such a good person, I will miss you, I wish you good open doors and pray that God will grant all your heart desires as you retire ,”Mrs Ekemini Ladejobi, Head of the agency’s Entertainment Desk said.
