Voice of Nigeria (VON) is partnering with the Indonesian Embassy in Nigeria to tackle misinformation, disinformation, and misconceptions that impact both nations on the global stage.
Jibrin Baba Ndace, the Director-General of VON, made this announcement during a courtesy visit from the Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria, Bambang Suharto, at VON’s headquarters in Abuja. Ndace emphasised the strengthening of bilateral ties between Nigeria and Indonesia, highlighting shared values, cultural diversity, and a collaborative spirit for global engagement.
He praised the vision of Indonesia’s founding leaders for fostering connections between Africa and Asia, noting that VON was established to project Nigeria’s image on the world stage.
In related news, VON is collaborating with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to enhance youth development initiatives and has been designated as a key broadcast partner by the World Public Relations Forum committee.
The Director-General reiterated VON’s dedication to delivering accurate, balanced, and culturally sensitive news, stressing the urgency for stronger partnerships in an era where false information spreads quickly.
“Collaborations like the one between Voice of Nigeria and the Indonesian Embassy, along with other media organisations in Indonesia, will be pivotal in reinforcing cooperation and positively shaping the global narrative about our nations,” he stated.
Ndace pointed out that narratives about Nigeria and Indonesia are often filtered through external sources, which can distort the truth, underscoring the need for direct storytelling.
“Indonesia is a vibrant, dynamic nation known for its rich heritage and strong democratic principles, recognised globally for its influence in international affairs through platforms such as ASEAN,” Ndace continued.
He also mentioned VON’s current programming in eight languages—Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, English, Fulfulde, French, Arabic, and Kiswahili—with plans to incorporate Mandarin and Bahasa Indonesia in the future.
“Voice of Nigeria will soon launch broadcasts in Bahasa, the most widely spoken language in Indonesia and other Asian regions, allowing both countries to share their narratives with the world. This multilingual approach will help us engage diverse audiences across Africa and beyond, presenting Nigeria’s viewpoint on a global scale. We are eager to collaborate closely with the Embassy and media organisations to create and share content,” he remarked.
Ambassador Suharto expressed a commitment to enhancing cooperation between Indonesia’s national radio stations and VON, particularly through content sharing to combat misinformation and fake news. He noted existing initiatives to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in economic and political arenas.
Highlighting the shared historical and demographic traits of both countries, the Ambassador emphasised the need to control their narratives amid their diverse cultures and large populations. He affirmed that bolstering media partnerships is crucial to promoting accurate information and strengthening relations between Nigeria and Indonesia.
“Let’s concentrate on nation-building with a unified goal of developing both our countries together,” he concluded.
As Nigeria and Indonesia prepare to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations starting in 2025, there lies a significant opportunity to enhance media cooperation and solidify their partnership.
