Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, convened a crucial meeting with the Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement, underscoring the government’s steadfast commitment to fostering robust communication channels with citizens across Nigeria.
The gathering, held at the Minister’s office in Abuja, aimed to strengthen the partnership between the Ministry and the Senior Special Assistants, renewing their shared dedication to disseminating accurate information about government programs to communities nationwide.
Minister Idris emphasized the urgent need to rebuild public trust, acknowledging its decline as a significant impediment to effective communication and program implementation. He pledged to prioritize transparent, timely, and patriotic communication, stating, “You cannot build trust when you tell people what they know to be obviously not true.”
Highlighting the pivotal role of the Senior Special Assistants, Minister Idris affirmed their responsibility to serve as conduits between the government and diverse communities, tasked with understanding citizens’ concerns and relaying feedback to the authorities.
The Minister outlined plans for collaboration, including deploying the National Communication Team to engage directly with Nigerians across the country, disseminating information and gathering feedback. Additionally, he offered the Ministry’s platforms to support the efforts of the Senior Special Assistants.
“The National Communication Team will also collaborate with the relevant Special Assistant for each community visit,” he added.
Minister Idris reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria to “recover lost ground” and achieve shared prosperity, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive development.
Earlier in the meeting, the three Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement, led by Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, highlighted the critical role of local engagement in reaching grassroots communities. They sought collaboration with the Ministry to enhance awareness of government initiatives.
“Partnering with the Ministry will enable us to utilize its communication channels to ensure communities are well-informed about government programs and achievements,” noted Yakasai.
The collaborative endeavor aims to bridge the information gap and ensure all citizens are aware of the programs and services available to them.
The meeting was attended by Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement from various zones, including Abiodun Essiet from the North Central Zone and Mrs. Moremi Ojudu from the South West, alongside Chief Executive Officers of agencies under the Ministry.
