The commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sonny Ekedayen, has urged information officers in government employment to report the government’s activities accurately, effectively and properly articulated, such that the common man can resonate with them.
The Commissioner gave this charge at the press week organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, State Information Chapel, in conjunction with the Ministry of Information, with the theme: The Role of Information Officers as Pacesetters in the Actualization of the M.O.R.E agenda.
Ekedayen stated: “The timing of this meeting couldn’t have been more auspicious and it’s coming at a time when government activities have been most under-reported.
“You have a governor that has put his time and goodwill on the line; who has taken upon himself to make a difference for the service of the people of this good state. A governor who, on a daily basis, is on the road, doing transformational things and yet very little is reported by the press, especially our local press. Meanwhile we have some of the brightest and best brains as information officers.”
Ekedayen stated further, “One of the best ways to encourage a performing and hardworking governor is to showcase those things he is doing well. There is no local government that is not experiencing one form of government intervention, yet what comes out are snippets of negative news. I can say with all sense of responsibility this government is positively different; he didn’t abandon any project he inherited.”
I am here to make an appeal. We can do more, collectively and individually. The government has a responsibility no doubt but you too have a strong role to play to disseminate information on the activities and actions of the government more professionally,” Ekedayen stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of the event, Chief Strategist to the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Festus Okubor, encouraged information officers to be at the forefront of effectively communicating government policies and achievements to the people.
The Head of Service, Delta State, Mr. Reginald Bayoko, represented by Mrs. Christiana Emetulu, charged officers to ensure that truth persuades and to never underestimate the power of their voice.
Chairman of the Delta State Council, Nigeria Union of Journalist, Comrade Churchill Oyowe, admonished information officers to be aware of their roles and to see unity of purpose as a source of growth.
Also, Comrade Kenneth Obieh, Chairman of the State Information Chapel, emphasized the need for officers to consistently tell the story of the government’s good work.
The event featured road walk, games, including a lecture by the member representing Oshimili South in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu.
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