FIC Report (Oyo State) – The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has concluded its training programme for its core staff, the information officers, who the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said were critical to creating positive public engagement and trust in the Government of the President Bola Ahamed Tinubu’s Renewed Agenda drive.
It would be recalled that the nationwide training of the federal information officers, who are stationed in the 36 states of the federation and the federal capital territory, began in January, in Bauchi, the Northeast zone.
The programme, which was designed to run sequentially in the 6 geopolitical zones of the country, was conducted in conjunctions with the training school of Nigeria Television Authority, the NTA College, Jos.
The Southwest training shift, which was the last in the series, was held from Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th February, 2025, at the Zonal Station of the Nigeria Television Authority(NTA), located at Agodi, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital. The three(3) Day programme was declared open by the Zonal Director of the station, Mr Waheed Babatunde Popoola.
In his welcome address, Mr. Popoola urged Federal Information and Public Relations Officers to change their orientation to service in dissemination of information on the policies, projects and programmes of the central administration.He urged participants that they should recognize the importance of the exercise as a deliberate concern of the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji M0hammed Idris, and re-gear their skills in getting acrossto the grassroots,vital and useful information on the policies and project implementations of the federal government, with methods that win. He therefore advised the trainees to appreciate the essence of what was expected from them in their schedules of duties.
Contributing to the welcome address, one of the resource persons, and the workshop facilitator, Dr. Chinelo Udeh Akpe, emphasized the need for media relations and networking because, according to her, government’s Information and Public relations officers could run from sufficiently relating and cooperating with public and other critical audience.
The three-day workshop was focused on refining the professional skills of the federal information and public relations officers, in areas such as effective communication, information management, and public relations. The workshop’s theme, “Effective Communication Skills, Information Management, and Public Relations,” was designed to equip participants with practical tools and knowledge to enhance the quality of their work.
During the workshop, experts in communication, media relations, and information management, were assembled to share valuable insights on ways to effectively convey government policies, engaging the public, and managing information in today’s digital landscape. The training underscored the critical importance of clear communication and public engagement in building trust and transparency in government operations.
During the lectures, the workshop facilitator, Dr. Chinelo Udeh Akpe, emphasized the significance of understanding the evolving dynamics of communication in the modern era: “This workshop is timely, as it provides an opportunity for officers to refine their skills and be better prepared to promote government initiatives and engage effectively with the public,” she stated.
Many participants expressed gratitude for the training, noting that it was an eye-opening experience. An excited participant said “The knowledge gained here will help us improve how we communicate and manage information within our respective states”, saying further: “We now have a deeper understanding of our role in shaping public perception and enhancing the relationship between the government and the people.”
The workshop is part of a broader ongoing initiative to ensuring that government information and public relations officers are well-equipped to navigate the evolving demands of modern communication. Organizers emphasized that similar session would continue to be held to keep officers updated on the latest trends and best practices in communication and public relations.
At the conclusion of the workshop, participants expressed their commitment to applying the new skills and insights gained, with the goal of improving communication strategies and overall performance within their calls of duties.
The event was hailed as a success, as it has provided federal information and public relations officers with valuable tools to enhance their duties in line with contemporary communication standards.
Participants at the Southwest workshop were drawn, 2 each from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states.
Signed
Oyewole, Temitope. A.,
SIO&PRO and
Oladapo, Samuel OlusolaGbenga CAI&PRO.
Edited by Moses Oyelade, AD(I&PR),
FIC,IBADAN.
