The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has initiated moves to forge a strategic partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development, aimed at strengthening visibility for youth-focused programmes and enhancing communication outreach.
The Managing Editor and Head of NAN Lagos Operations, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, made the proposal during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende, on Friday in Lagos.
Omowole emphasised that the visit was driven by NAN’s commitment to impactful collaboration, rather than routine engagement, noting that the agency seeks to play a more active role in promoting youth development initiatives across the state and beyond.
She described NAN as a credible national and international media platform with extensive reach, including district offices across Nigeria and representation at global platforms such as United Nations summits.
According to her, the proposed partnership would not only spotlight the ministry’s programmes but also project its leadership and initiatives to a broader audience, particularly in light of emerging opportunities for national and global engagement.
“We are not just offering media visibility but also skills development support for young people, while providing a platform to project the ministry’s work to a wider audience,” she said.
Omowole added that NAN’s platforms, including its PR wire services, would ensure seamless dissemination of information across multiple media outlets nationwide, while also offering capacity-building opportunities for youths in communication and storytelling.
In his response, Ogunlende welcomed the proposal and expressed readiness to collaborate, stressing that effective communication remains vital in bridging the information gap between government and young people.
“We are doing so much, yet many people are not aware. Partnerships like this will help amplify our work and ensure that young people are better informed,” he said.
The commissioner described the proposed collaboration as a mutually beneficial arrangement, underscoring the importance of partnerships in advancing governance and youth engagement.
He reaffirmed his commitment to an open-door policy that encourages direct interaction with young people and facilitates prompt response to their concerns.
Ogunlende also accepted NAN’s invitation for a follow-up visit and requested a formal proposal for further consideration by the ministry’s management team.
He noted that the ministry would explore the integration of NAN’s communication and capacity-building initiatives into its youth development programmes, while commending the agency for its continued contributions to information dissemination.
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