Information dissemination of government policies and programmes through the media to the general public is sensitive and cannot be taken with levity.
Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, made this known while declaring open a two-day training programme, with the theme, “Upscaling Public Information Management Through Strategic Public Relations”, organised by the Bureau of Establishments and Training, Office of the Head of Service, for Information and Public Relation Officers in government Ministries, Departments and Agencies at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
Mr. Onasanya said the training was imperative to enhance information dissemination and management of government policies and programmes, promote efficiency and effective work ethics among the media managers, as well address core areas of information management, including creating a good feedback mechanism, in order to bridge the gap between the government and the governed.
He said information dissemination had gone beyond industrial age to the knowledge age, driven by kinetics of information technology and the social media, urging participants to utilise the training for effective productivity that would enhance their career, while manning their beats with enormous competence and reliability, despite operational challenges.
“We must all realise that the world of information management for government institutions has changed dramatically from how it was practiced, compared to the current era of Information and Communication Technology”, he said.
In his keynote address, Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Communication, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, noted that there was need to strengthen the state information system, saying the training would provide the necessary skills for Information Officers to excel in their statutory duties.
Hon. Akinmade encouraged the participants to always project government activities to the public through available media space, noting that, “the media space if left unused, will be utilised by distractors”.
Remarking, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Waheed Adesina, expressed appreciation to the state government for the opportunity given to the participants, in order to be more equipped in living up to their statutory responsibilities and duties of projecting government activities positively and promptly.
Earlier, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo, who pointed out that government image should be projected through accurate report of its programmes and policies, added that media managers should upscale themselves with modern skills to meet new trends in information management for optimal performance, hinting that arrays of media and Public Relation experts had been invited to take participants through relevant topics.
In their separate goodwill messages, former Commissioners in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alhaji Fassy Yusuf, who spoke via zoom; Dr. Niran Malaolu and a former Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Mr. Demola Badejo; Chairmen, House Committee on Establishments and Training, as well as that of Information and Education, Honourables Tunde Tella and Segun Kaka, respectively, appreciated Governor Dapo Abiodun for approving the training, urging participants to utilise knowledge gained and work towards creating positive image for the present administration.
