The Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, has called on Information and Public Relations Officers across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as the 18 Local Government Areas of the state to strengthen collaboration in order to deepen communication and enhance effective community engagement.
Afegbua made the call on Monday during the opening of a three-day Capacity Building Workshop for Information and Public Relations Officers held at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy (JOOPSA), Benin City.
The commissioner stressed that building a strong and symbiotic working relationship among information managers is critical to the effective dissemination of government policies, programmes and projects, particularly at the grassroots level. He described Public Relations Officers as strategic partners in governance, whose responsibilities extend beyond information dissemination to shaping public perception and fostering trust between the government and the people.
According to him, effective communication remains a key driver of good governance, adding that synergy among information officers would enhance the credibility and reach of government messaging.
Afegbua also urged participants to continually invest time and resources in acquiring relevant knowledge and modern communication skills to remain effective in an evolving media landscape. He noted that professional development is essential for improved service delivery and responsiveness to public concerns.
Highlighting the achievements of the Governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration within its first year in office, the commissioner said the government, guided by the Project SHINE Agenda, has recorded notable progress in critical sectors such as security, health, infrastructure, natural resources, food security and education.
He expressed confidence that a well-trained, united and proactive information workforce would further strengthen government–citizen engagement and ensure the delivery of accurate, timely and impactful information to the people of Edo State.
