Wednesday 12 March, 1997 -- The newspaper that serves the nation


Aga Khan visits Nation Centre

Control information flow, Africa urged By CALEB ATEMI

His Highness the Aga Khan yesterday challenged the African continent to manage and control its own flow of information.

``Africans must take charge of communication and the flow of information. The communication process in Africa should be sourced in Africa by qualified men and women and should not just be received from foreigners. Africa should not just be a receiver of foreign news, written and packaged by foreigners.''The Aga Khan observed that the time had come for Africans to communicate about Africa in their own language, their own terms and in their own environment.The Spiritual Leader of the Ismaili Community noted that such an achievement in the field of communication would be great not only for him, but for Kenya and the entire continent.

He was addressing members of staff of the Nation Group of Newspapers at Nation Centre, where he also presented long-service awards.

The 17 members of staff honoured were those who had served the company for periods ranging from 25 to 35 years.

They were John Lumutu, Wilma D'Souza, Lucas Ochuodho, Jacob A. Mwanza, Geoffrey K. Nthiwa, Jones N. Mutua, Francis Otieno, Jamin Adira, Laban Shokunjila, Gideon M. Gikunga, Jeremiah Mwanthi, Mark Agunda, Noor Begum Kanani, Francis Ndungu Mwaura, Wilson Njoroge, Jane Rose Nasimiyu and Maurice Rota.

The Aga Khan said the Nation Group had come a long way in building the capacity to communicate in a balanced and objective manner.

He described the Group as ``a fulfilment of bringing to Kenya a communications company that would one day achieve the highest levels of communication sophistication''.

He advised the Group about ``setting up our own style of communication, a style that will be chosen from good taste, wisdom and competence so that the voice of the people of Kenya and the whole world will be worthwhile''.The Aga Khan is the founder and principal shareholder in his personal capacity of Nation Printers and Publishers Limited.

He was invited to address the staff by the Chairman of Nation Printers and Publishers Limited, Dr B.M. Gecaga. During his tour of Nation Centre, the Aga Khan was accompanied by Prince Amyn and Dr Nizar Verjee, Chairman of the Aga Khan Council for Kenya. The highlight of Aga Khan's visit to Kenya is today's inauguration by President Moi of the Nation Printers and Publishers printing press.

The plant, erected on a 10-acre plot on Mombasa Road, is an investment in the future of the media in Kenya by Nation Newspapers Limited of Sh750 million.

The inauguration ceremony will be held at the site, located 19 kilometres from the city centre..


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