USAID State2State Trains Information Officers of Key MDAS in Akwa Ibom on Implementation of Communication Strategy
By Ekemini Simon
The United States Agency for International Development ( USAID) State Accountability, Transparency and Effectiveness, (State2State) Activity in Akwa Ibom State has undertaken orientation for Information Officers/Public Relations Officers of key Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Akwa Ibom State on the effective use of communication strategies in carrying out their functions.
The orientation which took place in Uyo on Wednesday, January 24 through Friday January 26, 2024 witnessed about 30 Information Officers avail themselves for the 3-Day workshop towards enhancing implementation and ownership of a Communication Strategy that will birth improved information sharing mechanism between government and the people.
In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom State Team Lead of State2State, Borve Paago-Imabel said the orientation is geared towards deepening information officers’ knowledge on the use of Communication Strategy and its implementation action plan, develop a scope of work to implement the strategy, and improve information officers’ capacities on the use of communication tools to effectively carry out their functions.
Represented by the Local Government Manager of the Activity, Dr. Iboro Nelson, the State Team Lead said earlier, the Activity had supported Akwa bom State to develop the State’s Communication Strategy which provides a framework for effective communication and engagement with the public on State policies, programmes, and achievements.
He said the support had led to a training workshop in October 2023 for information officers/public relation officers from priority MDAs to improve their knowledge about reforms supported by Sate2State in Akwa Ibom State, Public Financial Management Communication, and presented the Communication Strategy to the officers for more familiarity with the document.
The State Team Lead recalled that when State2State had met with citizens groups, one of the major things that came out is that there is a gap in communication between government and citizens especially as there was no feedback mechanism.
Other gaps he said were noticed is the need for government budget information to be made public as well as adequate information on service delivery in the key sectors.
Paago-Imabel pointed out that the need for the communication plan to be activated and implemented is very important especially as a new administration is in place.
He added “The information officers are better placed to execute this communication strategy. That is because they sit between the government and the citizens. Your role in disseminating proper information is important. Do not forget that the citizens are much more aware and more interested in the workings of government.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Information, Mr. James Edet thanked State2State for the training noting that the entire information machinery of government is ready to implement the communication plan for the benefit of the State.
While noting that Information Officers are crucial in the responsibility of playing the middleman role between the government and the people, Edet said Information Officers need to up their game in the interpretation of the administration blueprint and also take the feedback from the people to government.
Meanwhile, Nneka Egbuna, Communications Specialist of State2State had taken participants on various topics to include “Linking and learning: Documenting experiences from using the action plan developed at the last workshop: Successes, Challenges, and Opportunities. Citizens engagement”, ” Exploring the Communication Strategy: Overview, target, audiences, key messages, implementation action plan, evaluation”, ” How the Communication Strategy aligns with the work of Information Officers( Understanding the role of information officers in achieving the objectives of the communication strategy)”.
Other topics included ” News report writing for various platforms,” Speech writing”, ” Development of an action plan (from January – December 2024) for effective communication on service delivery, the budget and IGR in Akwa Ibom State “, among others.
State2State is working on improved service delivery in three priority sectors of education, health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene WASH.