Unified Government Messaging Key to Regaining Public Trust,  Says Minister By Shalom Oludele

Unified Government Messaging Key to Regaining Public Trust,  Says Minister

The honourable minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasized the need for a unified and coordinated approach to government communication to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Idris made this call during an interactive session with directors of Information and resident information officers in Abuja, stressing that public trust is the most valuable asset of government communication.

The minister warned that fragmented messaging and parallel communication channels weaken government credibility and confuse citizens, insisting that the government must speak with a single, clear, and consistent voice.

Idris urged information officers to be guided by honesty, credibility, and consistency in their work, saying “Public trust is our most important capital. Once credibility is lost, no amount of messaging can fix it.”

He emphasized that resident information officers should see themselves as active partners within their host ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), rather than passive observers.

The minister addressed the growing pressure of misinformation and the speed of digital media, stressing the importance of timely and accurate communication.

Idris reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to freedom of expression, noting that such freedom must be exercised responsibly.

He outlined steps to strengthen professionalism within the information cadre, including mandatory periodic reporting, improved deployment processes, and continuous training.

The event was attended by top officials, including the SSA to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, and permanent secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Ogbodo Chinansa Nnam.