The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Hon. Paul Ohonbamu, has emphasised the critical role of continuous professional development in strengthening the capacity of media practitioners within government circles.
Addressing media officers at a one-day in-house training workshop in Benin City, the Commissioner described training and retraining as indispensable tools for navigating the evolving demands of the media landscape.
Speaking at the workshop themed, “Effective Communication and Information Dissemination in the Digital Era,” Ohonbamu lauded the initiative, organised by the Ministry of Information and Communication for media officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.
He remarked that media officers serve as pivotal conveyors of government policies and programmes, and must therefore be equipped with the requisite skills to communicate effectively and ethically.
“This training presents an opportunity to expand the frontiers of your profession,” he said. “Even the best-performing officers can improve further through such engagements.”
He urged participants to remain committed to the ethical principles of journalism and to be particularly vigilant against the dissemination of misinformation, especially on social media platforms.
“The credibility of your output is paramount. You must ensure that the information you release is accurate, verifiable, and devoid of falsehood,” he added.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Director of Information, Mr. Odion Daniel, expressed appreciation to the Commissioner and the Permanent Secretary for facilitating the workshop.
He underscored the role of media officers in ensuring the timely and accurate flow of information between the government, the media, and the public, noting that the training was designed to equip them with modern tools and techniques in information management.
The event featured a series of lectures delivered by senior officials and communication experts.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Desmond Agbama, spoke on “Information Officers and the Ethics of the Profession”, urging officers to uphold journalistic integrity and steer clear of sensationalism and unverified reporting.
Mr. Matthew Okunsebor, Director of Documentation and Publication, delivered a lecture on “Effective Management and Dissemination of Information in the 21st Century,” while Mr. Ehi Omoighe spoke on the strategic use of social media in public communication.
The interactive session afforded media officers the chance to engage with the resource persons, share insights, and discuss strategies for enhancing the quality and impact of their work within the public service.
