From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani as well as the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, have charged information and media managers to promote President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and other policies of his administration for the betterment of the people.
Both Sani and Idris spoke on Friday on the occasion of the 48th edition of National Council Meeting on information and National Orientation, held in Kaduna.
The theme of this year’s Council meeting was, “Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: The Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus.”
The governor and the minister reminded information managers of their responsibilities for effectiveness of communication strategies that will determine how government policies and programmes resonate with Nigerians and drive the change being envisioned.
The governor said: “I would like to encourage everyone to approach this task with dedication, innovation, and a sense of national purpose. Together, we can ensure that public information management becomes a cornerstone of inclusive governance and a catalyst for national development.
“Information plays a vital role in a democracy, and its significance in governance, especially in a pluralistic nation like Nigeria, cannot be overstated.
“The theme of this meeting is apt. It not only reminds us of the critical role that information plays in democratic societies, but is reflective of our commitment to a process-led and participatory approach to governance. Effective public information management is crucial for promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance.
In his remarks, the Information Minister said, “the theme of this year’s Council meeting, “Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: The Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus,” could not have been more appropriate. It underscores the critical role of public information in bridging the gap between government policies and the aspirations of the Nigerian people, a role that is at the very heart of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) is a clarion call for transformational leadership at all levels and people-oriented governance. The Agenda is firmly anchored on the time-honoured principle that governance must be inclusive, transparent, and centered on improving the lives of Nigerians.”
He informed the eminent gathering that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had recently approved the release of funds for the immediate operationalization of the Category-2 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, whose hosting rights were awarded to Nigeria by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
He added: “At its core, the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Institute (MIL) in Nigeria, the first of its kind in the world, and embedded in the precincts of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja, will equip people with the tools to discern between credible sources and misinformation.”