HOS CHARGES PERMANENT SECRETARIES ON MEDIA RELATIONS.

HOS CHARGES PERMANENT SECRETARIES ON MEDIA RELATIONS.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan has challenged Permanent Secretaries in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to adopt a new positive orientation in their interactions with the media, so as to get favourable buy-in of the Nigerian public.

Dr. Yemi-Esan gave the charge at the end of a weeklong media training facilitated by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in conjunction with the African Initiative for Governance (AIG), on topics such as Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Public Affairs Management, and Community Relations, organised for Federal Permanent Secretaries in Abuja.

The training was designed to broaden participant’s understanding of the media landscape, media needs, crisis management, and how to engage in productive media relations.

The Head of Service, advised Permanent Secretaries to leverage on the media to showcase the giant strides and achievements being recorded in various MDAs, adding that this is the only way recorded landmarks can be showcased to the Nigerian public.

‘‘Over the years, the perception that Civil Servants are to be seen and not heard has so much been ingrained in our consciousness and this is no longer sustainable in the light of the changing world’’ She added.

She therefore urged them to re-strategise and beam their achievements to the Nigerian public. It is also your responsibility to guide and prepare Honourable Ministers interaction with the media by availing them with adequate information on the achievements of their respective Ministries, she further said.

 

AbdulGaniyu Aminu

Director (Press and Public Relations)

31/5/2021.