Journalists at the Voice of Nigeria (VON) are advocating for improved working conditions following the appointment of a new leader at the prominent broadcasting institution.

Jumoke Falayi-Johnson, the chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, VON chapter, expressed these aspirations while responding to the new Director-General of VON’s commitment to enhancing the well-being of employees.

She shared her remarks during a press meeting that coincided with a visit by director-general Jibrin Ndace to the VON Lagos Office.

Ms Falayi-Johnson said, “Our expectation from the DG is that there will be a change in the way staff are treated in VON.

“An organisation should not just be about the job.

“The engine room of any organisation is the human resource before the machines, no matter how important machines are and how technologically driven the organisation is.

“What you put in is what you get when it comes to human resources.”

According to the chairman, there is a place for staff training, welfare, and advancement on the job in every successful organisation.

“These are what we expect from the current DG, and we hope he will achieve all of these,” Ms Falayi-Johnson said.

Mr Ndace had, during the visit, called for the support of members of staff in repositioning the broadcast medium.

“I require staff support; staff will make things happen. It is their institution, a national patrimony, and our institution, so we all need to work together.

“The staff should be sincere and open to me; if there are issues around the organisation, they should not hide them.

“I am coming with the mindset to make a change, but that will not be possible without the support of the men who make things happen,” he said.

The director-general said that his focus would be to bring more life into VON and reposition it in line with its mandate as the authoritative voice of Nigeria.

According to him, such repositioning would require leveraging technologies and innovations as well as prioritising staff welfare.

“VON is a brand, and its Lagos Office is strategic; so, getting it back to its values is a priority,” he said.

The director-general said that his administration would have a holistic approach to advancing VON.

He said that the approach would involve repositioning, rebranding, prioritising staff welfare, and effective discharge of duties.

He said, “Welfare is not just about tangible things. There are also the intangibles: training, office accommodation, and several other things.

“People being happy in their offices is also part of welfare.

“Also, attitude—how management connects with workers—can also make the staff happy.”

(NAN)