Lagos: The Voice of Nigeria (VON) has reaffirmed its commitment to broadcasting news and programs to promote global peace as the UN commemorates World Literacy Week. Deputy Director of Digital Media at Voice of Nigeria, Dr. Qasim Akinreti, stated this at a one-day symposium entitled: “New Digital Frontiers in Passing Information Through the Media: VON Approach.” The event was organized by VON in collaboration with Rites Food Nigeria and was held in Lagos.
According to Voice of Nigeria, Dr. Akinreti, representing the Director of Digital Media, Hajia Sanni, highlighted the extensive use of new media platforms by VON to disseminate various news and programs on global peace from the Nigerian external broadcasting station to the world. He explained that the VON website features peace initiative stories on Nigeria, Africa, and World news pages, which are shared on social media platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and others. These new media frontiers are deployed to inform,
educate, and entertain VON’s audience across the world.
Dr. Akinreti presented positive ratings of VON’s audience through media analytics in graphical formats to support his assertions. He commended VON Digital Media staff for their dedication to promoting VON’s mission and vision despite operational challenges. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a good image of the news and programs directorate of VON’s website, stating that the stability of Nigeria is crucial not only for its citizens but also for West Africa, the continent, and the global community.
In her paper presentation, a Deputy Director of SPCD, Dr. Mujeedah Olagunju, discussed the evolving landscape of media and the necessity for adaptation in the digital age. She noted that new formats such as e-books, audiobooks, and online conferences are transforming traditional information dissemination, making it essential for media organizations to innovate. Dr. Olagunju emphasized that the future of libraries will be dominated by digital content,
with traditional manuscripts likely becoming obsolete. She mentioned that the integration of audio materials, podcasts, and cloud storage solutions is paving the way for a more compact and efficient method of archiving and disseminating information.
Corporate Affairs Manager of Rites Food, Mr. Innocent Adulugba, contributed by emphasizing the crucial role of audience segmentation in news and broadcasts. He praised the unique role of VON in external broadcasting while recalling his nostalgic love as a growing adult. The event also featured discussions on the importance of leveraging diverse languages and embracing digital advancements to enhance VON’s outreach. Dr. Tajudeen Adebayo from the programs Directorate encouraged the integration of language services and the utilization of AI tools for the production of news and programs. Other participants at the event commended the new VON leadership for various efforts towards enhancing the growth of the organization.