Ensure Dissemination Of Govt Policies At Grassroots – Mimister Tasks Information Commissioners

State Commissioners of Information have been advised to always adopt strategic communication in disseminating government’s policies and programmes at the grassroots.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, gave the advice in Abuja during a one day Roundtable for State Commissioners of Information.

The roundtable which brought together Commissioners of Information from the 36 states of the Federation was to enhance collaboration and leverage government agencies for effective communication on anti corruption messages.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, stressed that, the fight against corruption is one of the 8 points agenda of the present administration.

He said this had led to the strengthening of institutional framework and non interference with policies of anti corruption agencies to ensure that they are not used as instruments of political witch-hunt.

According to Idris, fighting corruption is indeed one of the 8-Point priorities of the Tinubu administration, and that is why the President is strengthening the institutional framework to fight corruption, especially through the ICPC and the EFCC. By its policy of non-interference, the Tinubu administration has made it clear that anti-corruption agencies are not instruments of political witch-hunt. They operate with independence and professionalism in line with the rule of law.”

However, the Minister buttressed the President’s position that there will be no safe haven for corruption in Nigeria.

Idris said the President is implementing far-reaching judicial reforms aimed at curbing unnecessary delays in corruption trials, ensuring that justice is neither denied nor endlessly deferred.

Idris urged state governments to set aside political partisanship and embrace the vast opportunities inherent in President Tinubu’s agenda, which is reshaping the economy to address years of neglect.

“I wish to implore you all, Honourable Commissioners, that irrespective of the political party you belong to, it is important you identify with the massive opportunities inherent in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, who is relentless in reshaping our economy to address years of neglect, and its limitations, and in turn achieve inclusion, diversification, growth and steady development.”

The Minister commended the ICPC, under the chairmanship of Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, for its creative approach to development communication, which engages key stakeholders in the states and local government councils who are expected to communicate government policies to the grassroots.

In his remark, the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu said his organisation was determined to promote messages through various platforms to instil behavioural change to include the grassroots movement.

He identified the information ministries as a veritable platform for effective collaboration in strategic communication in winning the war against corruption.

In a Goodwill message, the Director General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN Dr. Mohammed Bulama pledged to give priority to messages that would build the trust of the populace in governance to FasTrack socioeconomic growth of the country.

Other stakeholders at the event include Directors of Agencies under the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Chairman Senate Committee on Anti corruption and his House of Assembly Counterpart Moshood Akiolu among others.

The theme of the programme is ‘Partnership for Strengthening Transparency and Accountability at the State and Local government levels through Strategic Communication.

Florence Adewale, Edited By Grace Namiji