The Editor-in-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Silas Nwoha, has bowed out of service at the attainment of the age of 60 years.
In his address at a Retirement Ceremony on Monday in Abuja, organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NAN Chapel, Nwoha appreciated God, his family, management, staff and members of the union for putting up the ceremony for him.
According to him, God has shown him favour, love, mercy and stood by him all through his journey in the Agency.
“I will forever remain thankful. NAN has been my life. I have never worked anywhere aside NAN. The journey has been smooth, rough and tough sometimes; but that is what makes one a man.
“I have observed in the last two weeks that good time is coming back to NAN again. The recent conduct of senior officers in the newsroom demonstrated that I am leaving a legacy of orderliness, unity, love and respect.
“We are on the right track in NAN. Even in the midst of economic challenges, NAN journalists are achieving a lot in terms of production and quality of stories.
“I ask you to keep it up, keep it going; let us be united, be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers. I am very proud of each and every one of you. I am also proud of our products in NAN.
“To the next Editor-in-Chief, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, I want to say thank you. And I call on the staff to give him the needed support to take NAN to the next level. Please let us remain united, and work purposefully.
“I will continue to stand by you in every step of the way and in any way I can,’’ Nwoha stressed.
Speaking earlier, Sheyin, Director of Abuja Operations, said Nwoha came into NAN in August 1989 while, he assumed in December, 1989. We have have been working together under different editors at different levels.
“I have always read his copies and he has always read mine. We have learnt a lot from each other, and had worked very closely. That is how it is supposed to be.
“The Editorial department is a place where people are expected to share ideas, love each other, discuss and appreciate each other.
“I am happy that we are building an Agency that we will be proud of. In the past, we enjoyed the luxury of breaking the news, but now we have every media, including citizen journalists, doing same.
“So, we need to have a department that will ensure that member of staff work hard so as to achieve the mandate of the Agency. NAN is a place that we learn; and after leaving the place, we do well in anywhere else we find ourselves.
“I want to commend the editorial department for making this event a very big one. I am happy that people responded and contributed to making it successful. This shows that we are united.
“I thank all members of the Editorial Department across the country for their contributions. This form of unity, love and togetherness should continue in NAN,” Sheyin urged.
Similarly, a Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Hajiya Hadiza Aliyu, described Nwoha as a “Prayer Warrior”, adding that he is close to God and prays at all times.
Meanwhile, some editorial staff appreciated Nwoha and wished him a happy retirement life.
In attendance were the Heads of Administration, Mr Abdulhadi Khaliel, Finance and Account, Mr Sola Kehinde, PRS, Dr Razaq Owolabi, Library, Mrs Lizza Orakwe and many others. (NAN)