The Director, Media and Corporate Communications Department and spokesperson of the National Space Research and Development Agency, NASRDA, Dr Felix Ale has said that the effectiveness of the Media to function as the fourth estate of the realm is highly dependent on adherence to the ethics of the profession and the cohesion among its practitioners.
He made this statement during the General meeting of the Agency’s media staff across the country at NASRDA Headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Ale charged the various Heads and staff of the units across Centres and laboratories of the agency to work in synergy, in other to efficiently create publicity for the activities of the agency, across levels.
The Media Boss who appreciated the Director General for the creation of the Media and Corporate Communications department of the Agency, urged the media professionals to ensure adequate publicity of various centres of excellence of the Agency as well as it laboratories across the nation, saying the performance and giant strides of the various centre directors and heads of laboratories will be complimentary to the current onerous tasks and efforts of the Director General to reposition NASRDA for effective delivery.
Dr Ale further acknowledged the various congratulatory messages on the successful launch of the Science Technology and Innovation television (STI tv), adding that it would not have been possible without their support and contributions.
He therefore tasked the staff to bring their expertise to bear, stating that the all hands must be on deck for the smooth sailing of the Television station.
Speaking earlier, in her welcome remarks, Mrs Kaneng Dagyeng a senior staff of Media and Corporate Communications commended the Media Boss for creating a platform for the pressmen to rub minds and chart the course of the newly created department.
She called on the pressmen to be adhere strictly to the instructions given by the Director and take commensurate action as required, in order to avoid friction in the discharge of their duties.
Dagyeng thereafter, advocated the need for competence and suggested that the pressmen, not only be part of professional bodies such as the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), but also suggested that NASRDA can host a chapel of the NUJ given the number of media staff on the campus.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Kester Otoibhi, Head, Media unit of the Centre for Satellite Technology and Development, (CSTD) appreciated the Director for an opportunity to brainstorm on certain grey areas in the department.
He assured the Director of the maximum support of the media professionals in securing a pride of place for both the Space agency and the STI tv, among other agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Below are pictures from the event;
