Tag: INFORMATION OFFICERS

By Chinemelu Okafor :

The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has urged the information officers to think outside the box, advising the officers to make their reports community based, especially those in various local government areas, where government activities happen on daily basis.

The Commissioner gave the urge during an interactive session in his office at Jerome Udoji Secretariat with the Acting Director of the Ministry, Mr. Emma Ikegwuani.

Speaking, he said that Gov. Soludo is very serious and more concerned about Information Ministry and their News reportage in the State.

According to him, the Governor has not seen much commitment from the information officers and their reportage on government’s activities in the State.

This he said citing information officers posted to various local government areas, that were not up and doing in discharging their duties, emphasizing that information department is the base and heart of any Government, from Federal level down to the grassroots.

“You need to think outside the box, thereby designing nice programmes, that will have wide coverage, as well as attracting sponsorship. Try to incorporate the town criers, ward Chairmen, PGs, traditional rulers, among others.

“These are the people that have information at their beck and call, that can easily reach the people at the grassroots and the public.”

He also urged them to be very active in online reporting and spreading of government activities to the public, because the governor focuses more on online News, which is the trending thing.

Dr. Mefor, did not hesitate to remind them that they can achieve this, through Governor’s official handles, many platforms, government sites, Facebook feeds, organizations sites, among others.

“With this, the Governor can go any length in spending heavily on Information Ministry, because he sees the magnitude of their works.”

He promised to work tirelessly, to making sure that the Information Ministry and officers are well equipped for effective gathering and dissemination of information.

*Chinemelu is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State

By Uzo Ugwunze :

The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, has tasked information officers under the ministry to hit the ground running by reporting all developmental activities and projects of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo, saying that they do not necessarily need to be All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) members to promote the good work of the present State Government administration.

The Commissioner gave the directive during an interactive session with all the staff cum information officers (IOs) employed in the Ministry at the Head of Service, Auditorium, Jerome Udoji, Secretariat, Awka.

Dr. Mefor expressed worry that the governor’s activities were underreported, insisting that there must be a paradigm shift. 

“We cannot have over 180 information officers and yet the reports sent in by the IO’s do not make up to 10 percent on the Anambra State website.

“We need feed back, every information officer should report at least once a week.  A report evaluation module will be compiled regularly. In fact, after every three weeks any information officer who did not file in any report will be withdrawn from the person’s duty station and he or she becomes a floating officer.

“If the Principal officer at your duty station is not cooperating report back to me and I will pay that person a visit. 

“Infact, we shall commence LGA tours to check and assert the responsibilities of the state information officers. Sometimes, they do not even know why you are there because if they knew they have no reason not to carry you along.

I have three months to deliver so I  seek your cooperation as a matter of responsibility to join my vision and passion to promote the good works of this present administration which have been unprecedented.”

The commissioner promised to look into the challenges facing the information officers and promised to do his best to protect their interest so long as it will enhance performance and productivity toward a liveable, desirable Anambra State.

In her remark, the Permanent Secretary, Barr Mrs Ndirika Onyekwelu said, ‘Our commissioner is an ‘A’ person so we are very lucky to have him at the helm of the affairs. He was appointed today and the next day he was already hosting press briefing with every Sector needed to make things work in the state.

“I met some air of despondency when I resumed in this ministry but since Law Mefor came on board the atmosphere has changed. Do you know that for the first time, during the last ANSEC meeting, it started with a commendation by Mr Governor who acknowledged our Commissioner’s impact in less than three weeks of appointment,  what a good note to start with,” she said

Also, HOD Information, Emma Ikegwuani after commending the Commissioner said that a strategic roaster will be drawn to ensure that week in week out the ministry’s presence was felt in the social media to ensure that the activities of the government were reported and reacted upon.

He further pledged on behalf of the information officers that the ministry will run at the pace of the Commissioner to actualize his vision. 

The HOD Film department, Mr Peter Onyejegbu observed that most LGAs and MDAs principal officers do not like working with our state information officers. He suggested that a correspondent be written to the heads of Agencies and LGAs to assert the presence of our State information officers.

Several information officers suggested ways to improve performance, efficiency and productivity in the Ministry of Information. 

The Observations include overhauling and equiping of the Situation room and ICT room with modern gadgets and the need for all IO’s to register or obtain the official government email Anambra.gov.ng since the Anambra State ICT department is ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Information as well as provide identity cards and jackets for field workers, iPads and data so as to equip and motivate the information officers.

*Ugwunze is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State