Abuja: The Director-General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace, has announced that VON is aiming to reach approximately 500 million Swahili language listeners across South and East Africa with content that reflects the African narrative. This announcement was made during a meeting with the Tanzanian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Selestine Kakele, in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ndace elaborated on the strategy to achieve this goal by enhancing VON’s Swahili language collaboration with the Tanzanian Broadcasting Corporation (TBC). This partnership is expected to improve their exchange program. Ndace mentioned that VON plans to send a reporter to TBC shortly to support and realize the objectives of this collaboration.
Furthermore, Ndace confirmed that VON will dispatch reporters to cover the Tanzanian elections slated for later in October. He stated that VON already broadcasts in multiple languages including French, Arabic, English, Swahili, and several indigenous languages, and plans to expand to Mandarin, Portuguese, and Bahasa.
Ndace emphasized the significance of the partnership in strengthening VON’s Swahili broadcasts to better serve audiences in Southern and Eastern Africa. He highlighted the unique nature of this agreement, noting that Tanzania is the only African country with which VON has such a partnership. The exchange of content is seen as a crucial benefit of this collaboration, helping to share African stories and achievements more effectively.
Ndace assured Kakele of support from both President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, to ensure the partnership’s success for both Nigeria and Tanzania. He expressed VON’s readiness to cover events in Tanzania and share content with TBC.
The High Commissioner, Mr. Kakele, acknowledged the longstanding relationship between Tanzania and Nigeria, citing Nigeria’s support in gaining global positions. He mentioned the historical assistance of a Nigerian soldier, Yakubu Pam, in building Tanzania’s army in 1964. Kakele highlighted the widespread use of Swahili, noting that around 500 million people speak the language and 1400 media organizations, including VON, broadcast in Swahili.
Kakele expressed Tanzania’s commitment to supporting VON in promoting the Swahili language and invited Ndace to celebrate the International Day of Swahili Language on July 7 in Abuja.
The meeting was attended by VON’s senior management and members of the Tanzanian High Commission in Abuja.