In a significant move to enhance Nigeria’s public information management, the National Council on Information and National Orientation has called for the reopening of 13 information centers abroad. This recommendation came during the 48th meeting of the council, held over three days in Kaduna, with 77 delegates from 17 states in attendance.
Themed “Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: The Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus,” the event brought together Directors and Chief Executives of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, its agencies, and representatives from professional bodies such as the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations.
The communiqué, drafted by a 10-member committee led by Niger State’s Honourable Commissioner, Binta Mamman, emphasized the need to re-establish Nigeria Information Service Centres globally. The centers would serve as hubs for reputation management and fostering a positive global image for Nigeria. The committee also recommended:
1. Expansion of Media Presence Abroad: Agencies like the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Voice of Nigeria (VON) should establish offices in select countries to complement the global efforts of the National Information Service Centres (NISCs).
2. Strengthening Training and Capacity Building: Repositioning the National Institute of Public Information (NIPI) in Kaduna as a premier training institution for information and public relations professionals.
3. Completion of Federal Government Printing Press (FGP): Urging the Federal Government to finalise construction of the FGP in Abuja to securely print and archive official documents.
4. Indigenous Language Content Production: Supporting NAN’s initiative to produce and disseminate content in indigenous Nigerian languages to enhance inclusivity.
5. Improved Media Infrastructure and Welfare: Calling for full digitalisation of media houses, better working conditions, and regular training for practitioners.
6. Community-Based Media in Insecurity Zones: Emphasizing the role of community media in countering misinformation and promoting peace, with a call for security frameworks like insurance for journalists in high-risk areas.
The council also advocated for measures to restore respect for national symbols and implementation of the National Values Charter to revive Nigeria’s value system.
Other key recommendations included nationwide campaigns to combat drug abuse, terrorism, and misinformation; regulation of Artificial Intelligence use in Nigeria; and prioritizing public communication in local languages for wider reach.
The council highlighted the persistent downgrading or scrapping of Ministries of Information in some states, urging state governments to re-establish and adequately equip these ministries.
The meeting concluded with a commendation for the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation for hosting the council’s sessions within two years of assuming office. Kaduna State was also praised for its hospitality, while Akwa Ibom State was announced as the host for the next council meeting.
