By Kammonke Abam
The Ministry of Information is one of the most strategic ministries in any government. Sadly, it has not been accorded the appreciable level of importance it deserves. This is reflected in the non-consideration of relevant professional skills and acumen of the people posted to take charge of the country’s Ministry of Information. Little wonder that many of them commit gaffes throughout their tenures.
However, in the milieu of the current men and women saddled with the responsibility to run that ministry in different states of the federation in the current dispensation, a few of them stand out and have succeeded in communicating the unique selling propositions of their states to the world.
The assessment indices include states most in the news, states with virtual presence, states with interactive websites, states with social media presence, states with a strategic public communication framework and policy. The methodology we used for determining the best Commissioners is content analysis of media reportage of states from 2023 when the new political dispensation was birthed. We systematically examined the quantity and depth of stories on states across the country. Among the states whose Information Commissioners are outstanding are:
Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, Hon. Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Lagos State
Lagos:
In a state as metropolitan and bustling with activities as Lagos, the responsibility of communicating government initiatives and maintaining a harmonious relationship between the government and its citizens is humongous. That is why the Governors of Lagos carefully select those with prerequisite skills and experience to run the Ministry of Information and Strategy. The current Commissioner, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, is working tirelessly to ensure that the Governor’s transformative agenda is heard and felt in every corner of Lagos State. He is daily committed to ensuring that Lagos citizens and residents alike understand the policies and vision of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
Notably, he initiated a feedback mechanism that he tagged, “Ask Lagos.” He also collaborates seamlessly with other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Through this, he is able to communicate the achievements of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration and programmes across the different MDAs.
He has gone beyond mere story telling to building narratives that resonate with the people, narratives that reflect the progress, challenges, and triumphs of the state. In doing so, he has inadvertently elevated communication to being a tool in ensuring that citizens are active participants in the development of their state.
Akachukwu Eze Akachukwu, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Communication, Enugu State
Enugu State:
Enugu State shares the distinction with Lagos of having the best websites in terms of content management, graphics, and ease of navigation. It is one of the most digitally savvy states in the country. It deploys digital tools in communicating the state to the world. The State’s website is interactive and is a good gateway of information about Enugu State. Akachukwu Eze Akachukwu is the Commissioner for Information and Communication in Enugu State. He was Assistant Director and General Manager of Voice FM Nsukka, a radio station under the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria. He is a highly experienced communication expert with over 20 years’ experience in broadcasting, journalism and public relations.
Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya
Kano
Kano State Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, is doing everything to revamp the state’s government-owned media organizations to meet global standards. He is committed to taking innovative measures that will enhance the performance and reach of state-owned media outlets. He is also committed to improving the welfare of staff and their professional development so as to ensure the delivery of quality services.
Waiya vigorously combats fake news, misinformation, and yellow paper journalism in Kano by ensuring that timely, accurate and factual information is disseminated in Kano State.
Mr. Ben Johnson, Hon. Commissioner for Information, Rivers State
Rivers:
It is no small feat to be at the helm of communication for a state that is locked in political crisis yet, Mr. Ben Johnson, the Commissioner for Information does so with unmatched dedication. His work ethic, one that sees him consistently working around the clock, ensures that the flow of accurate and timely information to the public is never disrupted. In spite of the crises, Mr. Johnson has consistently and tireless pushed back on the barrage of stories from the opposing camp of his boss. Johnson is a thoroughbred journalist and notable publisher who has been in the business of information dissemination for many decades in Rivers State. Until the state of emergency in Rivers State, Mr. Johnson gave a good account of himself as a professional information manager.
Cross River State Information Commissioner, Erasmus Nku-Ekpang, PhD
Cross River:
Cross River State’s Information Commissioner, Erasmus Nku-Ekpang, PhD, is a learning-centered leader who is very cerebral. He is a young man who desires to transform any space he finds himself in. He is working towards reviewing the state Policy on Information and recently appointed the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary to chair the Cross River State Policy on Information Implementation Committee. He has also ensured that the agencies under his Ministry’s supervision are working to full capacity. For instance, before he assumed office, the Cross River State Newspaper Corporation, CRNC, was a shadow of itself. Years of neglect made this newspaper that once was the envy of other state-run newspapers to be dilapidated. Gradually, he is bringing it back to life. First, he ensured that the paper is consistently published without fail weekly. Before now, its production was epileptic. He has also facilitated the state government’s rehabilitation of the corporation’s offices. He is also leading the process of extending the reach of the state broadcasting corporation, CRBC, to the nooks and crannies of the state.
Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Nasarawa State, Dr. Ibrahim Tanko
Nasarawa:
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Nasarawa State, Dr. Ibrahim Tanko, has leveraged the professionalism and excellence of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, to market and communicate the uniqueness of Nasarawa State. He facilitated the State government’s partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations towards projecting the image of the state. Under his watch, Nasarawa is witnessing a surge in media attention and improved public perception.
Bauchi State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Shehu Usman
Bauchi:
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Usman Shehu Usman, is proactively working to give a lift to the Bauchi Stare brand by digitizing the operations of the Ministry and also fostering a collaborative relationship with journalists in the state, in a determined bid to ensure accurate and effective dissemination of government policies and programs.
Since resuming duties as Commissioner, he has taken initiatives to boost the morale of the staff of the Ministry for their optimal performance and better service delivery. He has also been focusing on capacity building for staff to equip them with the necessary skills to perform their duties effectively.
