Port Harcourt – Mrs Jane-Frances Oraka, the former Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Port Harcourt Zone, has urged staff of the agency to uphold discipline and hard work in the discharge of their duties.
Oraka, who is leaving the agency as a Deputy Editor-in-Chief (DEIC), equivalent to Deputy Director, made the call at a retirement ceremony organised in her honour in Port Harcourt on Friday.
She retired after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60, following a distinguished 34-year career in the agency.
Oraka began her journalism career on March 30, 1992, as a reporter at NAN’s Abia office, where she later became State Correspondent.
She was subsequently transferred to Warri, Delta, as District Correspondent, where she spent 10 years before a brief stint at NAN Lagos office.
She was posted to the Port Harcourt Zonal Office in 2012 as Senior Editor and later rose to a DEIC in 2019.
Oraka became the first female Zonal Manager of Port Harcourt zonal office.
She holds a degree in Mass Communication from Anambra State University of Technology, now Enugu State University of Technology.
The former zonal manager later pursued a master’s degree programme while continuing her career in journalism and public service.
Addressing her former colleagues, Oraka said journalism required a great deal of discipline and hard work to achieve success.
She urged members of staff to remain hardworking, respect authority and uphold work ethics.
“Discipline, hard work, teamwork, and adherence to ethics are fundamental to workplace productivity.
“My success story is built around cooperation from colleagues, hard work and discipline,” she said.
Oraka urged younger professionals not to shy away from seeking assistance from their senior colleagues.
She commended colleagues for their support and cooperation throughout her career, describing many of them as family despite her retirement.
Also speaking at the event, Mrs Precious Akutamadu, a Senior Editor, described Oraka as a mentor and mother figure to junior colleagues.
Akutamadu praised Oraka for her patience and cordiality in carrying out her editorial responsibilities.
“She was a great mentor, colleague, sister and counsellor. We will miss her support so much,” she said.
Mr Desmond Ejibas, a Senior Editor, described Oraka as an exceptional professional whose dedication, integrity and passion for journalism had left an enduring mark on her colleagues.
He also described her as kind-hearted and inspiring, saying that her warmth, humility and commitment made her a treasured colleague and role model.
“As you begin this beautiful new chapter, I wish you happiness, peace, good health and fulfilment. May your retirement bring you sweet memories and countless reasons to smile,” he said.
Mr Amaechi Okonkwo, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), Port Harcourt, also congratulated Oraka and wished her a fruitful retirement.
Okonkwo described her as a strong pillar of support at the chapel and commended her professionalism, passion and commitment to work ethics.
