Newly appointed Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Baba Ndace, yesterday, pledged to prioritise staff welfare, including ensuring that they operate and work in a conducive environment with appropriate working tools.

The DG, who stated that it was evident that the staff of the station were operating in an unfriendly environment, lacking basic working tools, gave the assurance while on a tour of Lagos offices of the station in Ikoyi and Ikorodu.

He said: “For many reasons, this Lagos office is very important. You cannot ignore it because of the quality of manpower present here. For me, I feel that Lagos will be my second office.”

He also assured the staff of the broadcast station of prioritising their welfare for optimal delivery of services, saying: “Welfare is not just about tangible, there is also intangible like training, office accommodation and even people being happy in their offices is also part of welfare, which will give priority under my leadership.”

While urging the directors and staff of the station to collaborate with the new leadership to achieve the objectives of the station, he stressed: “let us just get the job done.”

We have a lot to do and the President and the Ministers of Information are in a hurry to feel our impact.

“I expect you to be open and frank while sharing your ideas with me. There is nothing to hide, if there is a problem in your office, don’t keep shut, it is the duty of the institution to provide towards ensuring quality services from you.”

While touring the offices and the studios, the DG expressed dismay over the poor and dilapidated state of the working tools, offices and general environment of the Lagos office in Ikoyi, and promised that in no time, things would change for the better.

In his remarks, Director of Public Communication and National Orientation of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Sunday Baba, who was on a visit with the DG, charged the staff to support the new leadership.