The Director General and Chief Executive Officer of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, has called for stronger cultural exchange and collaboration among global media organizations, as he addressed participants at the 4th China Media Group (CMG) Forum held in Qufu, Shandong Province, China.
Speaking at the prestigious international forum on April 25, 2025, Mallam Ndace emphasized the crucial role of media in bridging civilizations, fostering understanding, and promoting shared development goals. The forum, themed “Exchange, Mutual Learning, Technology Empowerment – The Power of Civilization in Transformation and Development,” brought together over 400 participants from 60 countries and various international organizations.
Highlighting the significance of Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, as a symbol of harmony and wisdom, the VON DG reflected on how shared knowledge, moral responsibility, and respect have historically enabled civilizations to thrive.
Since assuming office on October 23, 2023, Mallam Ndace has anchored Voice of Nigeria’s reforms on three strategic pillars: People, Platform, and Partnerships (3Ps), aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s voice on the global stage. He outlined ongoing efforts to upgrade transmission infrastructure, embrace digital broadcasting technologies, and foster international content partnerships under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and with the support of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris.
In a major announcement, the Voice of Nigeria DG revealed that VON is working with China Media Group to introduce Mandarin Chinese as an additional language in its international broadcasts. This initiative, he said, symbolized a commitment to mutual understanding and deeper Africa–China relations.
“Language is key to mutual understanding. Our expansion into Mandarin is a strategic move to strengthen cultural ties and enhance global communication,” he said.
Mallam Ndace also stressed that technology should serve as a bridge rather than a barrier, highlighting VON’s investment in AI-driven newsrooms, digital transformation, and online broadcasting platforms to reach wider and younger audiences.
In his closing remarks, he commended China Media Group and the Shandong Provincial People’s Government for their commitment to fostering international media cooperation and urged sustained collaboration to promote a world where civilizations learn from one another and build a shared future based on mutual respect.
