The federal government through the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on some state governments to reconsider the dissolution or downgrade of their ministries of information.
He said the ministries were not just administrative bodies but key drivers of public engagement, national orientation and social cohesion.
The minister stated this yesterday in Kaduna in his address at the 48th National Council of Information and National Orientation with the theme, “Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: The Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus.”
Idris said, “At this juncture, I would want to make a passionate appeal to some of our state governments, especially on the status and operations of state ministries of information.
“And my plea, for emphasis, is this: that, in the ever-broadening parameters of governance, the role of ministries of information at both the national and state levels cannot be overstated.
“These ministries serve as the bridge between government policies and the citizens they are designed to benefit, thereby fostering transparency, accountability and trust, which are essential pillars of any thriving democracy.
“The ministry of information plays a critical role in public sensitisation. Through this institution, and the platforms associated with it, governments are able to educate the citizens on policies, programmes and initiatives.
“They also serve as vital platforms for addressing misinformation, which, if left unchecked, can erode public trust and undermine collective progress. In an era where information is both a tool and a weapon, having a dedicated body to manage its dissemination is indispensable,” Idris said.
Speaking on the theme of the council, the minister said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu was a clarion call for transformational leadership at all levels and people-oriented governance, which is firmly anchored on the time-honoured principle that governance must be inclusive, transparent and centred on improving the lives of citizens.
In a statement by his special assistant on media, Rabiu Ibrahim, the minister said the essence of governance lies in its ability to connect, communicate and inspire collective action, hence information management is not merely a tool of administration but the lifeblood of democracy and development.
He said with a multiplicity of ethnic groups, languages and religions in Nigeria, ensuring that every citizen feels heard, informed and included in the governance process, requires deliberate efforts, especially by information managers.
The minister advised that to foster inclusion in policy formulation, information managers should leverage technology to enhance the speed, accuracy and reach of their messaging while also integrating artificial intelligence for better audience engagement and feedback analysis.
He equally said engendering public debate for policy refinement and alignment with public aspirations is a necessary component of promoting public participation in the decision-making process.
“In every democracy, the strength of governance is deeply rooted in its ability to reflect the will and aspirations of the people. Public policies, while crafted with the best intentions, must continuously evolve to meet the dynamic needs and expectations of the citizens they serve. It is within this context that public debate plays a pivotal role.
“For instance, you are all aware that we are currently witnessing robust debates on the tax reforms proposed by President Tinubu. Such debates are necessary in policy formulation and implementation in order to foster a transparent exchange of ideas, where citizens, civil society organisations and other stakeholders can voice their opinions and provide constructive feedback on the reform proposal of the president,” he said.
The 48th National Council of Information and National Orientation was declared open by the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani.