….. Specialists urge IOs on effective communication
United States Agency for International Development, State2State Communication Specialist Israel Odiba, has urged Information Officers in Gombe State, to be proactive in the dissemination of activities of their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies to enhance good governance.
Odiba stated this during a three-day workshop which held at the Emerald Royal Hill Hotel Gombe with the theme: ‘Orientation on state communication strategy and development of scope of work for information Officers in Gombe state’.
Periscope Nigeria reports that the participants were drawn from key Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Local Government Areas.
He explained that evidence has shown that communication activities can help achieve sustainable public sector reforms, foster support by influencing opinion attitudes and behaviour change, therefore Information Officers are saddled with the responsibility of disseminating information to the public using modern communication tools and platforms.
Odiba asked for collaboration with his agency to enhance capacity of Information Officers in Gombe State.
The Gombe field office state2state Local Governance Manager Hajiya Zariyatu Abubakar Hashidu, who delivered the keynote address urged participants at the workshop to be proactive in their roles as Information Officers of various MDA’s and LGAs and also to embrace inclusivity by including Persons With Disabilities in their reporting.
She charged them to avoid discriminatory languages and as well make their communication disability inclusive and accessible to promote inclusion and participation.
State2State Communication specialists Mr Kayode Olanorin, gave an overview on tools and platforms for effective communication strategy.
He disclosed that carefully examining tools and platforms can ensure that their communication strategies are effective, inclusive and aligned with the goals of development initiatives.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant New Media to the Governor of Gombe State, Suleiman Musa Arzo, appreciated State2State for organising the workshop, adding “it is timely and will help bring about synergy in the promotion of government programmes and policies.
Arzo added that the event was in line with the policies of the present administration in the state of ensuring proper dissemination of information, further urged the participants to showcase knowledge and skills acquired from the workshop and put them in use using various tools and platforms.
On his part, Gombe State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, Comrade Saidu Bappa Malala, appreciated State2State for the training, saying “it will go a long way in the dissemination of government activities and policies.”
He said this would achieve effectiveness, accountability and transparency in governance.
Malala also pointed out challenges faced by Information Officers and other communication experts to include inadequate manpower, skills and logistics.
He further solicited for more training and retraining of members to be skilled in writing balanced and inclusive news reports and press releases.
Participants at the workshop expressed optimism that the workshop is a morale booster and eye opener that has enhanced and increased their knowledge to bridge the gap in information dissemination using modern communication tools and platforms effectively.
