The Ogun State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, has called on information managers to adopt Information and Communication Technology tools for effective information dissemination.
This he described as crucial for mobilizing public support and ensuring the success of government programmes and policies.
Onasanya made this appeal on Thursday while declaring open a two-day training programme titled Upscaling Public Information Management through Strategic Public Relations for Information and Public Relations Officers in government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
The training was organised by the Bureau of Establishments and Training under the Office of the Head of Service and held at the Obas’ Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He highlighted the importance of the training in enhancing the skills of Information/Public Relations Officers to improve governance in Ogun State. Onasanya also expressed gratitude to Governor Dapo Abiodun for his continued investment in the capacity building of the state workforce.
“We must all realise that the world of information management for government institutions has changed dramatically compared to how it was practised in the pre-ICT era,” Onasanya stated.
He urged participants to adapt to the shift from the industrial age to the knowledge-driven age, which is powered by technology and social media, to perform their duties competently despite operational challenges.
He further emphasized the need for the training to promote efficiency and instill effective work ethics among media managers, stressing the importance of creating a robust feedback mechanism to close the gap between the government and the people.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Communication, Kayode Akinmade, also addressed the participants, noting that the training was necessary due to gaps identified in the state’s information management. These gaps, he said, ranged from a lack of expertise to the limited roles played by information handlers. He added that the programme would equip participants with the skills required to excel in their roles.
Akinmade encouraged the officers to ensure that the government remains in constant communication with the public through the media, warning that any media space left unused could be exploited by detractors.
Permanent Secretary of the Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs. Lydia Fajounbo, stressed that the agency’s primary responsibility is building workforce capacity for excellent service delivery.
She noted the importance of training in projecting the government’s image through accurate reporting of its policies and programmes, adding that media managers must be prepared to meet the growing demands of the job.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Mr. Waheed Adesina, also thanked Governor Abiodun and the Head of Service for providing the opportunity to train information officers, ensuring they are well-equipped to positively and promptly project government activities.
Other speakers at the training included Dr. Niran Malaolu, former Commissioner for Information in Ogun State; Mr. Demola Badejo, former Permanent Secretary and Clerk of the Ogun State House of Assembly; Chief Fassy Yusuf, former Commissioner for Information; Hon. Tunde Tella, Chairman of the House Committee on Establishments and Training; and Hon. Segun Kaka, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Education.
