FIC REPORT (ABIA STATE) – The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem Ukaire, has called on information officers across the country to embrace digitalisation, innovation and strategic partnerships to improve public information management and service delivery.
Dr. Ukaire made the call during his official visit to the Federal Information Centre (FIC), Umuahia, Abia State, on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the centre’s office in Amakama.
The Permanent Secretary said information management and public orientation were critical to effective governance, stressing the need for information officers to strengthen their professional capacity and effectively communicate government policies, programmes and achievements to the public.
She urged staff to align their activities with the Federal Civil Service implementation plans, particularly the FC25 and FC30 reform agenda, which emphasises capacity building, talent management, digitalisation, innovation, performance management and staff welfare.
Dr. Ukaire noted that although government funding remained limited, civil servants should familiarise themselves with the federal budget cycle and explore partnerships with relevant organisations, non-governmental organisations and international development agencies to support projects, training and institutional development.
She also stressed the need to update Nigeria’s national information policy, noting that an effective policy framework was necessary to guide the ministry’s strategic direction and ensure that its operations reflected current realities.
The Permanent Secretary encouraged information officers not to be discouraged by operational challenges but to take initiative, build professional networks and deploy available digital tools to enhance productivity and remain competitive in a rapidly changing information environment.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Head of the Federal Information Centre, Umuahia, Mrs. Abiakam Gloria Ifeyinwa, appreciated the Permanent Secretary for the visit .
She, however, highlighted the operational challenges confronting the centre, particularly inadequate office space, poor security and the absence of a suitable environment for receiving visitors, holding meetings and preparing official reports.
According to her, the cramped nature of the accommodation affects staff operations and makes it difficult for field officers to work effectively, especially when they return from assignments to prepare news reports for publication.
Lady Abiakam explained that security concerns had also become a major challenge, citing inadequate perimeter protection and repeated incidents of theft within the premises.
She further appealed to the Abia State Government to assist in addressing the centre’s accommodation challenges, noting that the cost of renting suitable office space had become increasingly prohibitive for federal establishments operating in the state.
The FIC Umuahia HOC also highlighted the responsibilities of federal information officers, explaining that they cover state governments and federal establishments within their areas of operation while disseminating information on government policies, projects and programmes.
She emphasised the importance of collaboration between federal and state information officers, urging personnel to maintain professionalism, avoid unnecessary rivalry and work collectively to ensure effective public communication.
Lady Abiakam added that information officers were expected to attend official assignments, prepare accurate reports and submit them through the appropriate channels for publication, particularly reports concerning federal government activities and development initiatives.
She noted that the centre also undertakes public enlightenment and sensitisation programmes to educate students, parents, non-governmental organisations, religious bodies and other stakeholders on federal government policies and initiatives.
The Head of FIC Umuahia urged officers to remain committed to their statutory responsibilities and uphold the ethics of the civil service, stressing that their primary duty was to provide accurate information and promote public understanding of government programmes.
She concluded by expressing appreciation to the Permanent Secretary for his concern for the welfare and effectiveness of information centres across the country, while praying for God’s guidance and a successful visit to Abia State.
From:Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu
FIC Umuahia .
26th October 2026.
