CAPACITY BUILDING: Afegbua Urges Information, Media Officers to Reshape Public Perception, Strengthen Trust in Government
Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Strategy, Prince Kasim Afegbua, has urged Information and Media Officers across Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), Parastatals and the 18 Local Government Councils to play a more strategic role in reshaping public perception and fostering trust between government and the people.
Afegbua gave the charge while speaking to journalists at the close of a three-day media training workshop organised for Information and Media Officers across the MDAs and local governments in the state.
According to the Commissioner, Information Officers must see themselves as a critical bridge between government and the citizens, who are entitled to understand government policies, programmes and the overall direction of governance.
He stressed that the officers are not merely conveyors of information but strategic partners in governance, with a responsibility to go beyond routine dissemination to actively build public confidence and trust.
Afegbua also emphasized the need for stronger collaboration, continuous self-development, and effective community engagement to deepen communication across all levels of government.
“The whole idea of the workshop is to encourage our information officers to be more confident in what they do. Information management is a very sensitive aspect of governance. If you give out the wrong information, it may cause problems and create chaos, but the right information will ensure that the people are properly informed,” he said.
He explained that the training was aimed at building a coordinated and seamless communication framework that bridges the gap between the state and local governments.
“As communication and information officers in the various ministries, parastatals, agencies and local government councils, we are trying to build a coordinated approach that will allow us to share information in a symbiotic manner so our people can be well informed,” Afegbua added.
The Commissioner reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and truthfulness, noting that communication should not be rooted in propaganda or falsehood.
“We do not want to dwell in the realm of propaganda or falsehoods. Our duty is to identify facts and let the people know the truth,” he stated
“Local governments are doing a lot, but if they do not brief us, we may not be aware. We have now created a platform where they will regularly brief us on activities at the local level, so we can build a unified communication approach and show the people what we are doing and how taxpayers’ money is being spent,” he said.
He noted that the government would institutionalize the training, adding that the workshop would be held quarterly to sustain engagement and deepen conversations around governance.
“The government is doing so much, and we need information officers to disseminate these achievements using the right tools and techniques. Going forward, this will be a quarterly exercise,” Afegbua assured
“I want to thank the Edo State Government for this workshop that has brought together PROs and Information Officers to gain new knowledge and ideas, especially as the world and media industry continue to evolve,” Odaro said.
He noted that his session focused on propaganda and its proper application in governance communication.
“Propaganda has its positive side, and Information and Media Officers must learn how to apply it responsibly for the benefit of their principals and institutions,” he explained.
Odaro expressed confidence that the workshop would significantly improve the performance of participants.
“I believe that from now on, there will be a change in mindset and approach. This training will guide them in their daily activities and enhance their professional effectiveness,” he concluded
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