By Stella Azi
The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali Mohammed Ali, has commended the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, for what he described as the revolutionary transformation of the Council, pledging the national news agency’s support in projecting the institution’s achievements to local and international audiences. Ali made the remarks during a courtesy visit to the RMRDC headquarters in Maitama, Abuja on July 14, 20026.
Speaking during the visit, the Managing Director said NAN was impressed by the Council’s remarkable progress under Prof. Ike-Muonso’s leadership and was ready to forge a strategic partnership to amplify its successes. According to him, the collaboration would provide a credible platform for showcasing RMRDC’s innovations, research breakthroughs and industrial development initiatives to investors, policymakers and stakeholders across Nigeria and beyond.
He noted that since assuming office, Prof. Ike-Muonso had demonstrated exceptional commitment to repositioning the Council as a key driver of Nigeria’s industrialisation agenda through innovative leadership and impactful reforms.
Ali highlighted NAN’s capacity as Nigeria’s foremost national news agency, recalling that the organisation, established in 1978, maintains a nationwide network of correspondents and has developed strategic partnerships with leading international media organisations, including Reuters, Agency France-Presse (AFP) and China’s Xinhua News Agency.
You Might AlsoLike
He said the agency has built a reputation as one of Africa’s most credible and trusted news providers through factual, balanced and unbiased reporting.
“At a time when fake news is prevalent, we have the double burden of reporting factually without prejudice or bias, and that we have done diligently and responsibly for the past 50 years,” Ali said.
The NAN chief expressed confidence that a partnership with RMRDC would significantly enhance the Council’s visibility and attract greater investor interest in Nigeria’s raw materials sector. He said that NAN has the strength and capacity to ensure that RMRDC’s achievements receive the national and international attention they deserve, thereby positioning the Council as a major catalyst for investment and industrial growth.
Responding, Prof. Ike-Muonso described the visit as a significant milestone in the Council’s efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships aimed at advancing Nigeria’s industrial development.
He said the collaboration between both organisations would not only deepen public awareness of RMRDC’s activities, but also contribute to national economic development through improved dissemination of information on Nigeria’s raw materials potential.
The Director-General observed that although the Council had recorded significant achievements over the years, many of its innovations and contributions remained largely unknown to prospective investors and the general public.
He explained that upon assuming office, his administration made strategic communication a priority by establishing the Raw Materials 360 Online Newspaper, later-on the RMRDC Online Radio, and now the official launch and rebirth of the Journal of Raw Materials Research (JORMAR) as part of broader efforts to strengthen public engagement and promote the Council’s activities.
Prof. Ike-Muonso said the initiatives are designed to bridge the information gap and position RMRDC as a globally recognised institution driving innovation in raw materials development and value addition.
“What we have achieved so far in terms of publicity is still far from where we want to be in reporting and communicating to the rest of the world what we are doing, what we should do, what we intend to do, and the global impact of our activities,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the engagement with NAN would mark the beginning of a robust partnership capable of significantly enhancing the visibility of the Council’s research and development milestones while supporting Nigeria’s drive for import substitution, industrial competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.
The proposed partnership is expected to strengthen public awareness of RMRDC’s role in promoting local raw materials development, encourage private sector participation, and support the Federal Government’s industrialisation agenda by showcasing opportunities within Nigeria’s abundant natural resource base.
