#EndSARS protesters
By Naomi Sharang/Funmi Adeyemi
The Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Buki Ponle has called on Nigerians to exhibit more patriotism to forestall future break down of law and order as experienced in the country during the recent #EndSARS protest.
Ponle made the call when the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Mr Boboye Oyeyemi, paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.
NAN recalls that it took the intervention of Security agencies to restore law and order in parts of the country after the peaceful #EndSARS protest turned violent after it was hijacked by hoodlums.
The MD, while commiserating with the corps for the loss of some of its assets during the protest, called on citizens to be more patriotic.
It is painful because it is avoidable; it has happened but may it never happen again.
That calls for more consciousness on our part, it also calls for more exhibition of patriotism.
If we are patriotic, we shouldnt be destroying ourselves.
We also commiserate with you over the loss of some of your members in the course of duty.
It is a supreme price and it is painful for that matter. May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
While noting that the agency was established in 1978, Ponle said most of the challenges of the past were surmounted.
We have come a long way and we are getting better. In 1978 when we started as a text agency, we had challenges of technology and manpower.
But today, NAN has grown exponentially in terms of human and material resources.
Ponle also called for the sustenance of the partnership between NAN and FRSC.
The Corps Marshal, Oyeyemi, congratulated the managing director who assumed leadership of the agency recently.
The right person has been brought on board. I must congratulate you for the recognition by President Muhammadu Buhari.
When it comes to professionalism, the president considers this; that is good for the system, Oyeyemi said.
He commended the management for its innovations especially with the agencys Multimedia services.
NAN has proved that it can not be left behind in the 21st century. To get the desired results, you need to deploy appropriate technology.
COVID-19 has brought in the virtual meetings. So, anywhere you are in the world, you can preside over your meetings.
It means that organisations must be ready to adapt to the reality.
Oyeyemi, who described FRSC and NAN as one family, thanked NAN for the partnership and called for strengthening of the synergy.
There are sometimes that NAN guided us in some areas because road safety is a collective responsibility.
As we are moving toward the end of the year, we need NAN more to propagate our policies, especially when it comes to traffic alarms, gridlocks because NAN stories are the fastest.
We rely on this and we will continue to give a helping hand to NAN where required, Oyeyemi said. (NAN)
Source: NAN News