By Kayode Sesan
The United States Consulate has revealed that it organized ongoing training for government spokespersons based on President Muhammadu Buhari’s call.
Public Affairs Officer, Dehab Ghebreab said this in her speech at the start of the training for spokespersons of Chief Press Secretaries and other media aides of 17 Southern States’ Governors.
Similarly two-day workshop for spokespersons of governors in Northern Nigeria was organized by US Embassy in Abuja partnership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna.
Ghebreab assured that the US Mission in Nigeria will continue to assist members of the news media and spokespersons at government agencies to enhance their skills to better serve the Nigerian people.
“These types of workshops and U.S. based training opportunities that we offer through the International Visitor Leadership Program and other programs demonstrate our commitment to the deep partnership that we have long enjoyed with Nigeria,” she said.
“These trainings, funded by the people of the United States, come in response to President Buhari’s request for help training spokespersons, at both the federal and state level, in effective press office operations.
“A particular emphasis will be placed on countering radical narratives and helping you to create a strong network of colleagues throughout the Government of Nigeria.
“Effective government press operations are critical at the federal, state and local level to communicating clear and timely information to the public.
“Your ability to deliver President Buhari’s messages about counterterrorism, ending corruption, and furthering economic development are important to the future of Nigeria. It is also important for you to convey the state governors’ priorities to the citizens of the state.
“Monitoring media coverage, briefing and advising political officials; managing media relations; providing information directly to the public; sharing information across the administration at the federal and state levels; formulating communication strategies and campaigns; and researching and assessing public opinion is what we do as public affairs professionals and spokespersons.”
Ghebreab reminded the media aides that their work carries a tremendous amount of responsibility, which will shape public knowledge and perceptions of the government.
__________
Follow us on Twitter at @thesignalng
Copyright 2015 SIGNAL. Permission to use portions of this article is granted provided appropriate credits are given to www.signalng.com and other relevant sources.
