U.S. Embassy seeks more collaboration with NAN

The U.S. Embassy in Abuja has called for increased collaboration with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to enhance news reportage , strengthen bilateral between that country and Nigeria.

Ms Jeanne Clark, Spokesperson of the U.S Embassy in Abuja when she visited the Managing Director of NAN, Mr Buki Ponle on Wednesday.

Clark said the collaboration would be built on the already warm relations between the U.S and Nigeria government which just marked sixty years of bilateral relations.

She said that increased partnership would also enable the Embassy build closer networks with journalists and opportunities to benefit from a lot of reporting tours and trainings the Embassy has been operating over the years.

Clark said that the visit to NAN also seeks to know more about NAN and ways the Embassy could leverage of the agency’s and wide coverage for news dissemination.

“I recognise the warm relations that have existed for a very long time as we have just celebrated 60 years anniversary of the U.S Nigeria relations.

“And I want to make sure that you feel comfortable and welcomed as part of the Embassy and I would welcome the opportunity to learn your priorities.

“You Managing Director are such an inspiration to your Staff haven demonstrated how you started 40 years ago and risen to the top is an inspiration to young ones.

“I hope to be able to visit many of your bureaus in the many states of Nigeria, I wanted to make a priority to come to NAN today to be able to hear and learn.

“That way we can collaborate on training interest. If some of you are familiar with some of the reporting tours and training opportunities/.

“That we have been operating from the U.S Embassies over the years to build closer networks with Nigerian journalists and news people are welcome here,” Clark said.

Responding, Ponle appreciated the embassy for recognising the importance of NAN, pledging to sustain and raise the bar for mutual satisfaction between the agency and the Embassy.

Ponle said NAN is the power house of news reportage in with wide coverage within and outside the country and professional reporters.

The NAN MD said that the agency despite closing down some of its foreign bureau, it has retained its office in New York considering the strategic relations with the U.S

“This is the power house of news reportage in Nigeria. We don’t have to blow our trumpet but we have it, when we sound it resonate.

“Before I left, we had Part of the robust partnership with the U.S Embassy in the country and I am happy that when I came back we had had not let it go, but we have raised the tempo.

“And with you around recognising the importance of the agency is why you are here to make sure we raise the bar to mutual satisfaction.

“NAN has offices in 36 states, for administrative convenience we have six zonal offices and because of the importance we accord to grassroots reporting we also have offices in some of the offices in 774 local government and we cover them effectively.

“That means when you talk to NAN you have spoken to the whole world.

“Initially when we started operation, we operated 10 stations outside Nigeria including in the U.S; one in New York and the other in Washington.

“Right now we still retained our New York office. We have a building in New York but due to scarcity of funds we are unable to maintain all other stations.

“But because of the importance we attached to the relations with the U.S the New York office has always been functioning and we do not intend to close it,” Ponle said.

Ponle expressed delight over the U.S embassy’s positions to strengthen our relationship in terms of trainings and all other things that can make our cooperation very effective and more productive.

The NAN MD also urged the embassy to subscribe to its numerous news platforms to enjoy all the services of the agency.

Also speaking, Mr Silas Nwoha, Managing Editor in the agency reiterated the call for more training opportunities for NAN staff members.

Nwoha said in the past NAN journalists were availed several training opportunities from the Embassy, stating that would be appreciated if the spokesperson is remembered for bringing that back.