ACAN trains communication officers, others on corruption prevention through information dissemination

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A cross section of participants at the workshop

By Anthony Maliki, Samuel Torlumun, Keffi

The Strategic Communication Workshop organized by the Anti-Corruption Academy of Nigeria (ACAN) enters its second day Wednesday expecting to generate positive interactions from participants.

On Day One of the workshop at ACAN in Keffi, Nasarawa State, participants interacted on three presentations. They were “The concept and principles of strategic communications: A contextual analysis” by Alhaji Mohammed Ashiru Baba, Director, Public Enlighten and Education of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), “Digital engagement for government” by Tolu Ogunlesi, Special Assistant to the President on Digital and New Media and “National Ethics and Integrity Policy: The communicator’s role” by John Oko Odey, a Deputy Director of ICPC.

Participants are mostly Information and Communication Officers, Public Relations Officers, Media Officers, Protocol Officers and other related schedules drawn from mainly Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Alhaji Baba during his presentation

In his remarks, Provost of ACAN, Professor Olatunde Babawale, said the workshop is aimed at building capacity of participants to develop, promote and safeguard a culture of integrity in their information, relationships and communication management process.

The Provost, who was represented by ACAN’s Registrar and Head of Administration, Mr. Samuel Lodam, also noted that participants would be exposed to identifying norms and behaviour that inhibit effective communication and proffer appropriate counter-measures to address them.

He pointed out that for the war against corruption to be fought and won in all MDAs sustainably, more anti-corruption practitioners must be recruited.In his presentation, Alhaji Baba said for strategic communication to be effective, systematic plan of action must be deployed in the dissemination of information.

Tolu’s presentation was on “Digital engagement for government”

According to him, strategic communication is a deliberate and concerted process of transmitting very important message to an identified audience for a particular purpose eliciting feedback our outcome.

Mr. Ogunlesi in his presentation underscored the importance of synergy between MDAs digital hands for effective outcomes.

He pointed out that government social media must support each other and amplify things for one another.Mr. Ogunlesi decried a situation where many government establishments have lots of valued information in their possession but don’t disseminate them for positive outcomes.

John Oko Odey presentation was on “National Ethics and Integrity Policy: The communicator’s role”

The Presidential media aide also spoke of the need for government information handlers to always provide update of developments for better understanding by the people noting that “Government cannot ignore the digital space anymore.”

Day Two papers include: “Courting the media: What reporters really need” and “Communicating the appropriate social norms for behavour change” while Day Three presentations on Thursday would be “Understanding information management process” and “Gifts and hospitality: Avoiding the snare.”