In its bid to foster positive perception of the Government across all divisions of the State and beyond Lagos, the State Public Affairs Officers have held a strategic meeting for officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Epe Insights learnt that the meeting was convened by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, in order to explore innovative ways of enlightening the public about activities of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration via all media platforms.
At the strategic meeting, the officers reviewed past activities, highlighted successes and identified challenges in the course of their work. The gathering also served as a platform to develop new strategies aimed at fostering a more positive perception of government across all divisions of the State and beyond.
As part of their resolutions, the officers agreed to intensify public enlightenment efforts and strengthen communication on government initiatives to ensure residents are better informed and engaged.
Speaking with participants, Omotoso acknowledged the efforts of officers in propagating the policies of the government despite obstacles.
“It is common knowledge that when it comes to our job, everyone is an expert. However, the reality is that nobody can have information about Lagos as much as public affairs officers do,” Omotoso said.
The Commissioner emphasised the importance of proactive communication in showcasing the government’s achievements and initiatives, urging officers to leverage their roles in promoting the State’s developmental strides and responding appropriately to public concerns.
Assuring the Public Affairs Officers of support from the parent Ministry, Omotoso encouraged the staff to come up with challenges encountered in the course of duty, just as he stated the need to be professional at their beats.
“I am sure if you give your principals sound advice on publicity rather than wait to be called upon, you will earn respect and establish a bond that makes you a credible ally and adviser on public affairs issues in the MDA,” the Commissioner said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olumide Sogunle, encouraged Public Affairs Officers to leverage the Ministry’s open-door policy by offering innovative suggestions, particularly on how to strengthen the Lagos State Government’s presence on social media and increase engagement among online users.
He commended the professional conduct of many officers at their duty posts, while noting that there remains room for growth and improvement.
“As public affairs professionals, we must prioritize people and relationship management skills in our daily engagements,” he stated.
Mr. Sogunle added that the Ministry is exploring ways to address challenges affecting the performance of Public Affairs Officers, while calling for a more coordinated and strategic approach to enhance the impact and visibility of government communication on social media.
The session also provided a platform for officers to share ideas to improve work efficiency, while advocating for recognition and reward systems for staff who demonstrate outstanding performance.
