Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, has paid a visit to the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) headquarters in Jos, to assess the extent of damage caused by a minor fire incident which occurred on the second floor of one of the corporations office blocks recently.
The minister was received by top management of the corporation, led by the Managing Director, Mr. Afolabi Adesanya, and immediately undertook a visit to the fire site.
Conducting the minister round the site, Adesanya said the fire started at about 4.30pm, and that the timely arrival of men of the fire service saved the situation from becoming a disaster.
He informed the minister that the police were currently investigating the immediate and remote causes of the incident, while awaiting a report from the fire service.
This was in addition to the management’s investigative committee, all aimed at avoiding future occurrence.
Addressing staff of the corporation, Akunyili advised them not to be discouraged by the fire incident but to strive and remain committed to the growth of the corporation and the country at large.
While assuring that the investigations would reveal the immediate and remote cause(s) of the fire incident, Akunyili advised staff to always take precautionary and preventive measures in ensuring the safety and protection of life and property.
She frowned at the attitude of staff and other Nigerians who are in the habit of disparaging their leaders.
She debunked the stories making rounds that fraud was perpetuated in the transfer of staff of the corporation.
She noted that the reversed transfer of staff to Abuja was in order, adding that directives for the affected staff to refund their transfer allowances were also in order and fell within statutory public service procedures.
The minister, who was in Jos for the rebranding Nigeria campaign in the north central zone, implored staff of the corporation to be committed the rebranding drive, stressing that “it touches our everyday lives and most especially our national integrity”.
Akunyili said the role of the film corporation was very crucial in the rebranding programme of the Federal Government and directed that the NFC should henceforth brace up to the challenges that inhibit its monitoring and bring to the attention of the Federal Government any local or international publications, especially motion picture productions that portrays the image of the nation and her citizens in bad light.
Akunyili further promised that she will do all she can to succeed in leaving a legacy in the Federal Ministry of Information & Communications and her Parastatals and implored that all hands to should be on deck in ensuring that the Image of Nigeria is redeemed because according to her, Nigerians are indeed “Good People” of a “Great Nation”.
