The Kaduna State Government has expressed concern over the impact of fake news and misinformation on peace in the state. Commissioner for Information and Culture, Ahmed Maiyaki, stated this when he received the leadership of the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). Maiyaki noted that misinformation had the capacity to inflame tensions, deepen mistrust, and undermine efforts to promote peace in Kaduna and other parts of the country.
Maiyaki emphasized that the state government was committed to working with professional bodies, including NIPR, to promote responsible communication and improve the image of Kaduna. He said the NIPR conference, scheduled to hold in Abuja in November, would provide an opportunity for the state to showcase its cultural heritage, investment opportunities, and other achievements to a wider audience. Kaduna would take part in exhibitions at the conference to showcase its culture and investment potential.
The commissioner highlighted that the state had recorded significant investment inflows since the administration of Governor Uba Sani assumed office in 2023. He said the government would continue to strengthen its partnership with NIPR beyond the conference, particularly in promoting professionalism, responsible public relations practice, and effective communication. This partnership aims to promote accurate information and counter misinformation.
Maiyaki recalled the hosting of the NIPR Week in Kaduna earlier this year, which helped change perceptions about the security situation in the state. Initially, some participants were reluctant to travel to Kaduna due to security concerns, but their successful participation demonstrated that the state was open and accessible. This event contributed to discussions that resulted in increased air connectivity to Kaduna.
The chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of NIPR, Mohammed Abdullahi, said the road walk was part of efforts to sensitize residents ahead of the international conference. He emphasized that public relations was not merely a profession but a tool for building trust, promoting development, and connecting people. Abdullahi expressed appreciation to the commissioner for receiving the NIPR delegation.
Abdullahi urged members of the public and communication professionals to support efforts aimed at building trust and ensuring that accurate information prevailed over misinformation. He said the institute would continue to partner with the state government in promoting effective communication and peaceful coexistence. This partnership is crucial in promoting responsible communication and countering fake news.
The Kaduna State Government's efforts to promote responsible communication and counter misinformation are ongoing. The government will continue to use opportunities like the NIPR conference to project Kaduna positively, rather than allowing negative narratives to dominate public discourse. By partnering with NIPR, the government aims to promote accurate information and build trust with its citizens.
Key points
- The Kaduna State Government has identified fake news and misinformation as a greater threat to peace than insecurity.
- The government is partnering with NIPR to promote responsible communication and improve the image of Kaduna.
- The state has recorded significant investment inflows since Governor Uba Sani assumed office in 2023.
