Ogun state government moves to ensure robust media relations

The Ogun State Government has commenced process to fine-tuned its strategy for effective and robust media relations to enhance the skills and competencies of journalists under its payroll and bring out positive and desire results.

Penpushing reports that the Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya dropped the hint in his speech while declaring open on Wednesday a 2 – day training programme organised for information and public relations officers with government, held at the Obas’ complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta

The renowned media practitioner and first journalist to attain the position of Head of Service in the state explained that the role of the participants, to give the desired spotlight to the activities of the government cannot be over-emphasized.

‘This nostalgic gathering is not just another event on our calendar, but a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing the skills and competencies of our role as torchbearer of the Government image, visions, policies and programmes to the general public and the world at large’, he stated.

Penpushing further reports that Onasanya pointed out that information dissemination as it affects government policies and programmes on the media to the general public are so fragile and sensitive that it cannot be toiled with.

‘Therefore, this two (2) – day programme with the theme “Upscaling Public Information Management through Strategic Public Relations” has been carefully put together to be the first of its kind after Ogun State domesticated the resolution of the National Council on Establishments (NCE) that re-designated the Information Officer Cadre to Information and Public Relations Officer Cadre in the Country’.

‘Permit me to say that I derive the greatest joy that this training is holding because of the sentiments and emotional attachment that I have to these crops of information and media professionals, having had a significant part of my career in the Public Service as one of you’, he added.

Penpushing also reports that he said journalists must all realize that the world of Information management for government institutions has changed dramatically from how it was practiced before now.

The Head of Service pointed out that the era of manual production is gone which include, sending news stories to journalists through Fax and Telex which sometimes required that you shout on top of your voice without total assurance that the receiver of your message got the entire message as you intended to relay it.

‘As Information Officers, we had to rely on our photographers for pictorial complements of our stories, and the videographer, if there was need to circulate such stories to television stations’, Onasanya emphasised

Penpushing reports that he recalled that during his practicing days, journalists were always eager to write feature articles that would bore their cherished bylines, adding that all information officers manned their respective beats with enormous competence and reliability, despite operational challenges.

‘Happily, the environment has changed today; we have transitioned from the industrial age of practice to the knowledge age, driven by the kinetics of Information Technology and the Social Media as its by-product’, he noted

Penpushing further reports that Onasanya expressed concern over citizens journalists and charged participants on the need for them to continually retool their practise and world outlook, in order to remain relevant in their practice.

‘In view of the need to attune this special crop of public servants to contemporary dynamics of practice, it is pleasing that the Governor of Ogun State, His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON in his characteristic understanding gave approval for this training’, he said.

‘This is another glowing testimonial of that support. We must all therefore reciprocate the good gesture of government by being more efficient and adding more value to the operation and success of the present administration towards achieving its set goals of re-writing the social, economic and structural development of our great State’, Onasanya stated.

Penpushing also reports that earlier in her welcome speech Permanent Secretary Bureau of Establishments and Training, Mrs Lydia Fajounbo explained that the training was specifically designed for Information and Public Relations Officers across media houses in the state

‘The objective of today’s training is to enhance skills, broaden perspectives and equip with necessary tools to excel in the current fast-paced information landscape. The resource persons, comprising seasoned public relations experts are carefully selected to achieve the objectives of the training’, she stated.

Penpushing reports that Fajounbo whose husband is also a veteran broadcast journalist, however, urged the participants to make good of the knowledge to be acquired from the training for optimal performance in the discharge of their official responsibilities.

The Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the Governor, Hon Kayode Akinmade in his keynote address said the training was coming at a very timely and auspicious moment considering the significant gaps noted in information management and control in Ogun State.

‘The era of analogue information management is gone. If we do not have a virile and adequately proactive communicative strategy to convey government activities in the state, it is due to range of factors’, he stated

Penpushing further reports that Akinmade added that information management is a major factor for growth in any nation or state, stressing that it must be noted that the idea of government developing a distinctive communication strategy is centred on ensuring that government is constantly in touch with the public through the media

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