The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Yakubu Adam Kofarmata, has urged Directors, Management and Staff of the Ministry to harness the transformative potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing their communication skills.
Dr. Kofarmata made the call at a training workshop organized by the Development Research and Projects Center (dRPC) in collaboration with the Ministry.
The event, held on Wednesday, 13th August 2025 in Abuja, was themed “Effective and Responsive Communication for Public Relations and Data Desk Officers of the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.”
Represented by the Director of Research and Statistics, Mr. Oyinloye Adeola, the Permanent Secretary stressed that the work of the Ministry goes beyond routine service delivery.
“The work we do in the Ministry is not just a job. It is a calling, as our efforts directly impact the lives of Nigerians,” he said.
Dr. Kofarmata commended the Honourable Minister of State and the Permanent Secretary for supporting the collaboration that made the training possible. He also appreciated dRPC for designing a comprehensive capacity-building programme tailored to the Ministry’s needs.
According to him, the training is designed to strengthen effectiveness, resilience, transparency, and accountability, qualities essential for optimal performance in public service.
Declaring the workshop open, he encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained to become better communicators and more effective civil servants.
In her welcome address, Dr. Judith-Ann Walker, Executive Director of dRPC, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to innovation and capacity strengthening. She noted that dRPC began operations in Nigeria by training civil society organizations before extending its services to government agencies.
“We have trained over 400 government agencies locally and internationally. Our approach is to design training based on the specific needs of each agency to ensure practical implementation,” Dr. Walker stated.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Valentine, Director of Special Duties, expressed the Ministry’s gratitude to dRPC for facilitating the workshop, noting that the knowledge shared would significantly enhance staff capacity in delivering on the Ministry’s mandate.
The workshop was attended by Directors and senior officials from the Ministry, reflecting the strong institutional commitment to continuous learning and innovation.
Signed
Iliya Rhoda Ishaku
Director Information and Public Relations
