FG committed to rebuilding trust in public communication – Minister

The minister of information and national orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has restated the federal government commitment to rebuilding trust in public communication that has been eroded over the years.
He said this would be done through timely, patriotic and honest dissemination of information.
“You cannot build trust when you tell people what they know to be obviously not true,” he said.
The minister stated this Monday when he received Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement in his office in Abuja.
“When we started our engagements, we went to the North West states of Kano, Jigawa and Kaduna we saw what that has done. It is the idea of this administration particularly this ministry to build trust that we think has gone away between Nigerian communities and their leaders.

“Everything we have done since we came here is make sure that trust is rebuilt. How can trust be rebuilt ? Trust can only be rebuilt when you pass information timely, patriotically and honestly.
“You can not build trust when you tell the people what obviously they know is not true. Yes it is incumbent upon us to tell communicate government policies and programmes but we must tell Nigerians exactly way that it is in order to engender trust,” he said.

He highlighted the vital role of the Senior Special Assistants in bridging the gap between the government and various communities.

These representatives, he said, were appointed to “feel the pulse” of Nigerians and relay their concerns and feedback to the government.
He stated that the Ministry will collaborate with them to ensure government programs and activities are effectively communicated and understood at the community level.
He informed them that the National Communication Team will travel across the country to directly engage with Nigerians, providing information and gathering feedback.
He added that the Ministry will offer its available platforms to support the work of the Senior Special Assistants.
“The National Communication Team will also partner with the relevant Special Assistant for each community visit,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision, according to Minister Idris, is for Nigeria to “recover lost ground” and achieve shared prosperity.
Earlier, the three Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement led by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, North West Zone, Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, recognized the critical role local engagement plays in reaching those at the grassroots.
He added that the Special Assistants came to seek collaboration with the Ministry to amplify program awareness.
“By partnering with the Ministry, we can leverage its communication channels to ensure these communities are informed about the government’s initiatives and achievements.”
In attendance were Senior Special Assistants to the President on Community Engagement from the North Central Zone, Abiodun Essiet, South West, Mrs. Moremi Ojudu as well as Chief Executive Officers of the agencies under the Ministry.