The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged Directors and Resident Information Officers in government-owned media organisations to show stronger leadership, unity and a greater sense of responsibility in the discharge of their duties, saying effective public communication depends on how well information managers lead and work together.
The Minister made the call at a strategic meeting with Directors and Resident Information Officers of government news agencies held at the Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Addressing the participants, the minister stressed that heads of agencies must take ownership of their teams, noting that leadership goes beyond supervision to mentorship and accountability.
“As leaders, you must take full responsibility for your junior officers. Effective leadership and mentorship are critical to efficient public information management. When leadership is weak, the entire information system suffers.”
He underscored the need for stronger collaboration among government media organisations, arguing that rivalry and fragmentation undermine the credibility of government communication.
“There must be cordial relationships among our organisations. Collaboration will not only create a conducive working environment, it will also ensure that government policies and programmes are presented in a unified, credible and professional manner to Nigerians.”
Information Minister assured the officers that the Federal Government remains committed to sustained engagement with media professionals, promising more consultative forums to deepen understanding of their operational realities.
“We will continue to engage with you. These meetings are important because they allow us to bring journalists together and to hear directly from you about the challenges you face in the course of your work.”
He also disclosed that infrastructure projects were underway to improve the efficiency of news gathering and dissemination across government media platforms, adding that capacity building remains a priority.
“Standard infrastructure projects are currently being executed to enhance the efficiency of news dissemination. In addition, the Federal Government is committed to the training and retraining of information officers to strengthen capacity and professionalism in the sector,” he said
In a lecture, the Executive Director, Development SPECS Academy, Professor Okey Okechukwu noted that experience sharing was very important in enhancing effective communication. He called for closer working relationships between information officers and their senior colleagues, stressing that partnership and mutual understanding are key to effective public communication.
“Information officers must work closely with their senior colleagues. Partnership and mutual understanding are essential if we are to present an organised and coherent front.”
Okechukwu added that unity within the government information system would improve effectiveness and support the delivery of the Federal Government’s agenda.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Future Now Initiative, Ahmad Sajov, highlighted the importance of innovation, professionalism and ethical communication in driving national development, commending the ministry for creating a platform for dialogue among information managers.
“This kind of engagement promotes professionalism and ethical communication, which are essential for national development,” Sajov said, praising the ministry’s efforts to foster cooperation within the information system.
The meeting brought together senior officials from various government-owned news and information agencies, with participants agreeing on the need to strengthen cooperation, accountability and capacity development in public communication.