NAN MD reflects on life @60, hails staff for solidarity

The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Malam Ali Muhammad Ali, on Tuesday, described his 60 years birthday as a defining moment, remarkable and a divine favor.

Ali spoke during a surprise birthday ceremony organized by the NAN management to felicitate him on the anniversary.

The NAN chief, who turned 60 on June 7, said “only a few people lived to celebrate their 60th birthday in good health.”

He thanked President Bola Tinubu for celebrating him on the diamond jubilee, saying “the icing on the cake was the statement issued by the President.”

He expressed hope that he would live longer that 60, saying “in a country where the life span is low, the average life span in Nigeria is 45 years.

“And My faith teaches me that any day after 60 is a bonus.”

Ali, therefore, commended the management and members of staff of the agency for their cooperation and hard work in the last two and half years.

According to him, the last two and half years or nearly three years working with the NAN staff has been a defining moment.

He added that “NAN in the last two and half years had been very wonderful and amazing. I met some of you, amazing people who actually most times make feel like a star. This family has been a great family.”

NAN reports that President Bola Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday, congratulated the NAN MD on his 60th birthday.

Tinubu commended Ali, a distinguished journalist and administrator, for deploying his vast experience, skills and professional network to strengthen the mandate of the nation’s foremost news agency.

The president noted that NAN had continued to demonstrate consistency in news gathering, dissemination and collaboration with multilateral institutions, foreign news agencies and media platforms under Ali’s leadership.

The Nigerian leader said the agency’s efforts further enhanced Nigeria’s image and helped to curb the spread of fake news, particularly through digital and online engagement.

He said “under Ali’s watch, NAN continues to demonstrate consistency in news gathering, sharing and networking with multilateral institutions, foreign news agencies and media platforms.”

Tinubu said these efforts had further enhanced the image of the country and helped in mitigating the spread of fake news, particularly through online engagement.

The president also acknowledged Ali’s role in bridging the gap among citizens, private sector leaders and government through strategic coverage of national and international events.

He further commended the NAN boss for promoting specialized reporting on critical sectors and government programmes.

“I commend Ali, the management and staff of the agency for sustaining the mandate of Africa’s leading news agency,” Tinubu said.

Born on June 7, 1966, the NAN boss holds a degree in International Affairs and Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communications from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria and Bayero University Kano (BUK).

He is a journalist and media manager with keen interest in media evolution and content development in a digital world to meet the cravings of a diverse population with alternative news feeds.

Ali is a dedicated professional with more than 30 years experience practicing nationwide in both public and private sector media organizations, including start-ups and market leaders.

He is a member of several professional bodies like the NIPR, NUJ and the NGE.(NAN)