Public Affairs Officers to intensify enlightenment on government policies in Lagos
Public Affairs Officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Lagos State have resolved to intensify public enlightenment efforts on government policies and projects.
The resolution was reached during a strategic meeting convened by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, aimed at exploring innovative approaches to disseminate information about the activities of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration across all media platforms.
“You can’t light a candle and put it under the table,” Omotoso said, quoting the Bible to underscore the importance of visibility and transparency in governance.
Commending the officers for their dedication despite various challenges, Omotoso emphasized the importance of proactive communication. “It is common knowledge that when it comes to our job, everyone is an expert. However, the reality is that nobody can have information about Lagos as much as public affairs officers do,” he said.
The Commissioner urged officers to take the initiative in publicizing government activities and offer strategic advice to their principals on publicity matters. “If you give your principals sound advice rather than wait to be called upon, you will earn respect and become a trusted adviser on public affairs issues in your MDA,” he added.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olumide Sogunle, urged officers to take advantage of the Ministry’s open-door policy to propose ideas, especially on expanding the Lagos State Government’s influence on social media.
Sogunle acknowledged the commendable conduct of many officers while pointing out the need for continuous improvement. “As public affairs personnel, we must have people and relationship management skills in all we do at our duty posts,” he said.
He added that the Ministry would work on resolving issues affecting the performance of Public Affairs Officers and emphasized the need for a more coordinated and impactful approach to social media engagement.
