Lagos commissioner urges public affairs officers to improve government communication
The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, has urged Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to strengthen communication, improve professional collaboration and speak openly about challenges affecting their work.
Omotoso gave the charge on Tuesday during a meeting with public affairs officers at Combo Hall, Lagos Television (LTV), Agidingbi. He assured the officers that the ministry was ready to address concerns relating to their welfare, funding, professional development and working conditions.
Describing the Ministry of Information and Strategy as one family, the commissioner encouraged officers to freely approach their superiors and express their views without unnecessary restrictions. He said the ministry must reject any culture that prevents staff from making meaningful contributions, stressing that effective internal communication was essential to informing and enlightening the public.
He also called for improved funding of government communication activities, urging PAOs to participate actively in the budgetary process and submit realistic proposals that reflect their operational needs. In addition, he pledged support for professional training, retreats and membership of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), while promising to review the proposed communication policy to provide clearer guidelines for information management, particularly during emergencies.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, described his appointment and swearing-in by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as a new beginning for the ministry. He called for renewed commitment, teamwork and improved service delivery, while assuring officers of the support of the governor, deputy governor and commissioner.
Ogunbanwo, however, urged the officers to reciprocate the leadership’s support with greater professionalism, visibility and proactive communication. He expressed concern over declining participation by some PAOs in government communication activities, particularly on digital and social media platforms, and encouraged them to promote government policies and programmes consistently while participating in initiatives such as Ask Lagos.
The permanent secretary also emphasised the importance of mutual respect, seniority and established hierarchy within the Public Affairs cadre, describing them as essential to discipline, mentorship and institutional development. He, however, cautioned that respect for hierarchy should not discourage younger officers from contributing ideas and embracing innovation. He also acknowledged concerns over the special allowance for the cadre, assuring officers that efforts were being made to address the issue.
In a presentation titled “Strengthening Public Communication and Media Relations: Enhancing Government Visibility, Public Enlightenment and Effective Media Engagement”, the General Manager of Radio Lagos/Eko FM, Jide Lawal, highlighted the importance of timely information dissemination, fact-checking, continuous training and strong relationships with media practitioners. He identified declining public trust, disinformation, inadequate funding and delays in information flow as major challenges facing government communication. The meeting also featured remarks by the General Manager of Lagos Television, Kayode Oyekanmi, and the General Manager of Traffic Radio, Tayo Akanle, who urged officers to uphold political neutrality, verify information before publication and protect the credibility of government communication ahead of another election cycle.
