) Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has urged media and communication personnel as well as public officials to embrace digital technology, accurate information and strategic communication to strengthen public confidence in governance.
Oborevwori made the call at the seventh edition of the State Communication Workshop (DELCOM) on Tuesday in Asaba, with participants drawn from government, private media and security agencies across the state.
The three-day capacity-building workshop has the theme, “Digital Communication and Crisis Management: Building Trust and Credibility for Democratic Governance,” and focuses on communication, cultural storytelling and public engagement.
Represented by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr Samuel Oligida, Oborevwori said modern governance required continuous engagement with citizens and effective communication of government policies, programmes, achievements and challenges.
“Citizens deserve to know what our government is doing, why it is doing it, our progress and our growth,” he said.
He stressed the importance of keeping citizens properly informed.
The governor said social media and digital platforms provided opportunities for governments to communicate directly with citizens, receive feedback and promote greater participation.
He, however, cautioned against disinformation, fake news and online manipulation.
Oborevwori urged communicators to identify emerging issues early and respond professionally, accurately and transparently before they developed into institutional threats or public crises, particularly during sensitive situations.
“Communication officers must communicate government policies and achievements accurately, clearly, prudently and in a way that citizens will understand,” he said.
The governor urged practitioners to uphold professionalism and public interest.
He said sustainable development had gone beyond constructing roads, hospitals and schools to investing in knowledge, skills, professionalism and institutional capacity to strengthen governance.
Oborevwori expressed confidence that the training would improve digital engagement, crisis communication, public information campaigns and data-driven communication, while strengthening institutional credibility and deepening trust between government and citizens.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Coordinator of DELCOM in the state, Dr Latimore Oghenesivbe, described the workshop as the state government’s flagship annual capacity-building programme.
Oghenesivbe said the programme was designed to strengthen the professional competence and effectiveness of media practitioners and communication personnel across the state.
He thanked the governor for approving the training and urged participants to remain committed to the programme, adding that seasoned resource persons had been engaged to deliver the training.
Also speaking, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Public Enlightenment (Projects and Policies), Mr Olisa Ifeajika, urged journalists and media practitioners to uphold truth, fairness, responsibility and professional integrity in the discharge of their duties.
He said journalists must have the courage to report issues objectively, irrespective of personal opinions or differences, stressing that the media had a responsibility to serve the public interest.
Ifeajika said credibility remained the most valuable asset of any journalist, adding that it could only be sustained through honesty, fairness and responsible reporting that strengthened public confidence in the media.
On his part, the Chief Adviser to the Governor, Chief Ighoyota Amori, commended the initiative and the organisers of the programme.
“Effective communication will promote credibility and help to reduce crisis in the system,” he said.( NAN)
