By Joel Oladele, Abuja
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris has vowed that the Tinubu-led administration will not rely on propaganda to propagate government programs and policies.
He disclosed this on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), in Abuja.
Speaking in line with the theme of the event, “Leadership, Public Relations and Value Creation,” Idris promised that the current administration, through implementation of credible policies, would restore people’s confidence and trust in the government.
“You are aware that the focus of government now is how to restore the confidence of the governed in governments and its institutions. This time around the process of restoring popular confidence and trust in government and its policy shall not lie in the domains of propaganda.
“Through tangible and credible policies of the government, the government aims to directly impact on the lives of our people. In other words, the era of relying on propaganda to propagate government programs is now over.
“Let me assure my colleagues that the renewed hope agenda of Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shall be anchored on transparency and accountable information dissemination to Nigeria,” Idris promised.
He added that the administration will not hesitate to admit its mistake where necessary as that will help in fostering trust between the government and the citizens.
“As I noted in my address to management staff of the ministry shortly after I took offer, I told them that we shall evolve with renewed vigour and commitment to provide credible information to Nigerians at all times, which of course includes bodily and humbly acknowledging mistakes where they are made.
“This in my opinion is very important in reducing apathy and in engendering trust between government and its citizens, will engender a new approach based on truth, mutual respect and empathy which is needed to reopen conversations between the government and the people,” he said.
The Information Minister, who is an NIPR fellow, also charged Public Relations Practitioners to uphold the virtue of integrity and also on the need to strategise in order to get the desired results.
“As public relation practitioners, you are aware of the advantage and strategic intervention that the communications sector can assist tremendously in making the profession more relevant and more focused to achieve national expectations and concentrating on the key issues that dominate our national life today.
“As we come together, we are not only celebrating our sheer dedication to the field of public relations, but also embarking on a journey of reflections of inspiration and of collaboration.
“In this age of information saturation where every click and (sort) add to the noise, the role of public relations has never been more vital. We are the storytellers, the bridge builders and the custodians of reputation.
“Our work shapes perceptions, guides decisions, it guides decisions, it fosters relationships and extends far beyond the boardroom.
“As guardians of reputation, therefore, we must learn very fast to navigate uncharted waters with ethical responsibility and a commitment to truth. Ethics indeed, lies at the heart of our profession.
“In an era where trust can be shattered, with a single misleading speech, our integrity must remain unshakable.
“Transparency is the currency that goes credibility, while authenticity is the foundation upon which lasting relationships can be built,” Idris charged.
He therefore promised his unflinching support for the Institute to achieve its mandate.
“As a fellow of the Institute and Honorable Minister of Information and national orientation. I wish to assure the NIPR of the unflinching support for the actualisation of the NIPR mandate of training and regulation of private practice with in this country.
“On a personal level, being a minister will not change anything. My doors are opened, My brothers and sisters, my colleagues are still my colleagues. If the Minister fails the NIPR has failed.
“Therefore you must take that as a big challenge and accept the responsibility that you have to our dear nation to ensure that the NIPR shows the light for others to follow,” he noted.