Malam Ali M. Ali, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), has commended the Nigerian Army’s resilience and dedication toward restoring peace in the North-East.
Ali gave the commendation on Monday when he led the NAN management team on a courtesy to Maj. Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, the Theartre Commamder, North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai(OPHK), at the Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri.
He expressed NAN’s solidarity with the people of Borno and appreciated the military for its sacrifices.
Ali praised the Theatre Commander and his team for their swift and coordinated response to the September flood disasters which ravaged the city of Maiduguri.
He acknowledged the command’s role in rescue efforts, noting that local residents had attributed their safety to the heroic actions of the commanders and soldiers who directly led the rescue missions.
Ali highlighted NAN’s commitment to accurate and comprehensive reporting of Nigeria’s news, especially from challenging regions like the North-East.
“NAN is the largest news content provider in the continent of Africa and is proud to partner with progressive institutions like the Nigerian military,” Ali said.
He emphasised NAN’s role in combating misinformation, particularly in conflict zones, through credible journalism supported by partnerships with Reuters, Xinhua, AP and other news wire networks.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Chief of Defence Staff(CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, for the logistics and moral support to frontline soldiers, describing that as key to successes in counter-insurgency efforts.
The NAN boss commended the military’s achievements in prompting over 160,000 militant surrenders and enabling the return of roughly two million displaced persons to their homes.
He noted that the accomplishments were a testament to the command’s “kinetic and non-kinetic” strategies which had significantly weakened insurgent capacities.
In response, the Theatre Commander expressed his gratitude for NAN’s support, affirming the army’s dedication to stabilising the region and ensuring that socio-economic activities resumed in affected areas.
He emphasised the commitment of his officers and men toward restoring normalcy across Borno, Yobe and parts of Adamawa.
Other members of NAN management on the visiting team included Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, Alhaji Abdulhadi Khaliel, Director of Administration, Mr Ojo Mufutau, Director, Special Duties, and Mrs Ngozi Anofochi, Board Secretary.