The National Council on Information and National Orientation has advocated for the establishment of offices for three government media houses, namely Voice of Nigeria (VON), News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), to ensure prompt decision-making and reputation management, thereby achieving a positive image for the country globally.
This was contained in a communique that arose at the end of the 48th Meeting of the Council, held from Dec. 11 to Dec. 13 in Kaduna, Kaduna State, North West Nigeria. The meeting, with the theme “Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: The Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus,” was organised by Nigeria’s Ministry of Information and National Orientation. The communique was signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Binta Mamman, a Commissioner from Niger, and nine other members from the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
The Council also suggested the reopening of 13 information centers abroad to promote Nigeria’s image globally. According to the communique, these offices will complement the efforts of the Nigeria Information Service Centres (NISCs) in 13 countries abroad.
“Council resolved and approved the adoption and implementation of the National Policy on Information document, which aims to transform Nigeria’s information sector at all levels, providing necessary support to the country’s democracy, economic growth, and global influence. The NISCs in 13 countries abroad, with four regional/zonal headquarters within these centers for prompt decision-making, should be reopened for reputation management and to engender a positive image for the country globally.”
It was also noted that : “states should comply with the re-designation of the Information Officer Cadre as Information and Public Relations Officer for officers on GL 08-17 and Executive Officers (Information and Public Relations) on GL 06-14. NAN, NTA, and VON should also open offices in selected countries to complement the efforts of the NISCs. Additionally, more funding should be provided to VON, NTA, and FRCN in light of today’s challenges”.
The Committee stressed the need to reposition the National Institute of Public Information (NIPI) in Kaduna as a citadel for training and capacity building for Information and Public Relations practitioners in the country. Other recommendations from the communique include the revitalization and completion of the construction of the Federal Government Printing Press (FGP) in Asokoro, Abuja, and strengthening the Nigerian Press Council for effective print media regulation in the country.
To ensure the implementation of the National Values Charter, as approved by the Federal Executive Council, measures should be taken to revive Nigeria’s value system as part of the National Identity Project.
“The role of radio in enhancing public information management for inclusive governance should be promoted, and there should be enlightenment campaigns and sensitization on the dangers of terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping to national image and development. There should also be increased awareness creation on the usage and management of social media to address the menace of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news”.
The Council urged heads of information-based organizations to provide appropriate communication facilities, equipment, infrastructure, and a conducive working environment for their organizations.
“Media houses should become fully digitalized for effective information dissemination, and there is a need for improved conditions of service, salary structures, and regular training for media practitioners to enhance their performance”.
To strengthen community-based media for effective operations in insecurity-prone areas:; “the media should bear in mind that they have the potential to play a pivotal role in countering misinformation, promoting peace narratives, and fostering trust. Heads of information-based organizations should provide appropriate communication facilities, equipment, infrastructure, and a conducive working environment for their organizations”.
According to the communique, in order to avoid the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), the Federal Government, through its appropriate institutions, should regulate AI use in the country in line with global best practices, and relevant agencies involved in AI should address related challenges and threats.
The National Information Council meeting was attended by commissioners, permanent secretaries, and stakeholders in the information and public communication ecosystem in the country.
The meeting, with the theme “Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: The Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus,” had 77 delegates from 17 states of the federation.
Dominica Nwabufo
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