The Niger state Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger state Council, recently organized a one-day training workshop for Local Government Areas (LGAs) Information Officers (IOs) and Media Aides. The workshop aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to effectively discharge their duties. Declaring the training workshop open, Niger state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Obed Nuhu Nana, emphasized the importance of professionalism in information dissemination.
Commissioner Nana described information officers as core personnel deployed to the 25 LGAs by the state Ministry of Information and Orientation to ensure effective communication dissemination in rural areas. He noted that the effectiveness of IOs would bring an end to cases of disinformation and misinformation. Nana expressed disappointment that most IOs deployed to the 25 councils were not living up to expectations, encouraging them to take ownership of their responsibilities.
The Commissioner urged IOs to actively monitor activities in their respective LGAs, including traditional and security situations, and promptly submit verified reports to the Ministry. He argued that if IOs were doing well, there would be no room for content creators and fake journalists to invade their duty posts and dish out distorted facts. Nana encouraged participants to improve their skills through continuous learning and professional development.
Commissioner Nana commended the Niger State Council of the NUJ for organizing the training workshop, describing collaboration between government information officers and the media as essential to effective public communication and feedback. He reminded participants that formal training in journalism or mass communication should not prevent them from excelling in their profession.
Earlier, the National President of the Association of Local Government Information Officers of Nigeria, Alhaji Jibrin Bissallah Suleja, urged IOs to take their profession seriously by embracing continuous learning and professionalism. He emphasized the need for IOs and media practitioners to synergize for cross-fertilization of ideas. Bissallah noted that effective communication requires cooperation between IOs and media practitioners.
The NUJ Council Chairman, Comrade Abu Nmodu, encouraged participants to see the training as an opportunity to improve their knowledge, writing skills, and professional relationships. He urged them to reposition information management at the local government levels. The training workshop provided a platform for IOs and Media Aides to enhance their skills and contribute to effective information dissemination.
The collaboration between the Niger state Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the NUJ Niger state Council reflects the importance of effective communication in governance. The training workshop is expected to impact positively on the performance of IOs and Media Aides in the state. Key stakeholders are optimistic that the initiative will enhance the dissemination of accurate information to the public.
Key points
- Niger state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Obed Nuhu Nana, has urged Information Officers (IOs) and Media Aides to Local Government Council (LGC) Chairmen to embrace professionalism for effective information dissemination.
- The training workshop aimed to equip participants with the necessary skills to effectively discharge their duties.
- Commissioner Nana emphasized the importance of collaboration between government information officers and the media in effective public communication and feedback.
