By Taibat Ummi Yakubu
The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Muhammad Ali, has appealed to the Katsina State Government to intervene in protecting the agency’s property from encroachment by land grabbers.
Ali made the appeal during an interactive session with the state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu-Zango, during an official visit to the agency’s Katsina office.
The NAN managing director expressed concern over challenges facing some of the agency’s properties, particularly threats posed by encroachers and land grabbers, and called on the state government to support efforts aimed at safeguarding the agency’s assets.
According to him, protecting NAN’s property is essential to ensuring the agency continues to carry out its mandate effectively and without disruption.
Ali also reflected on the contributions of notable Katsina indigenes to the development of journalism in Nigeria, with particular reference to the late Malam Wada Maida, a former Managing Director of NAN.
He noted that Katsina State had consistently produced generations of journalists who had made significant contributions to the media industry both within Nigeria and internationally.
The NAN boss commended the Katsina State Government for its support for the media and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to objective, balanced and development-oriented journalism.
Responding, Salisu-Zango, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Culture, Tukur Dan-Ali, assured NAN of the state government’s continued cooperation in promoting effective information dissemination and public enlightenment.
He praised NAN for its role as Nigeria’s premier news agency, highlighting its contributions to national development through credible and timely reportage.
The commissioner assured the agency that its concerns regarding property encroachment would be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for necessary consideration and action.
He said the state government valued its longstanding relationship with NAN and recognised the agency’s role in projecting government programmes, policies and achievements at various levels.
Salisu-Zango further reiterated the administration’s commitment to supporting institutions that promote the dissemination of credible information and contribute to national development.
He also commended Ali for his efforts in repositioning the agency and strengthening its capacity to effectively discharge its mandate as the nation’s leading news service.
The visit was part of the NAN managing director’s nationwide tour of the agency’s offices to assess operational challenges, engage staff and stakeholders, and explore strategies for improving service delivery across the country.
