By Seun Adams
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan has challenged Permanent Secretaries in the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal government to adopt a new positive attitude and orientation in their interactions with the media.
With the new paradigm shift, she said the media will get favourable buy-in and also key into the new reforms that is ongoing in the Nigerian public service.
Dr. Yemi-Esan gave the charge at the end of a weeklong media training facilitated by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in conjunction with the African Initiative for Governance (AIG), on topics such as Public Relations, Strategic Communication, Public Affairs Management, and Community Relations, organised for Federal Permanent Secretaries in Abuja.
The Director, Head and Public Relations, Mr. AbdulGaniyu Aminu, while quoting Dr. Yemi-Esan, said the training was designed to broaden participant’s understanding of the media landscape, media needs, crisis management, and how to engage in productive media relations.
The Head of Service, advised Permanent Secretaries to leverage on the media to showcase the giant strides and achievements being recorded in various MDAs, adding that this is the only way recorded landmarks can be showcased to the Nigerian public.
‘‘Over the years, the perception that Civil Servants are to be seen and not heard has so much been ingrained in our consciousness and this is no longer sustainable in the light of the changing world’’ She added.
She, therefore, urged them to re-strategise and beam their achievements to the Nigerian public.
It is also your responsibility to guide and prepare the Ministers interaction with the media by availing them with adequate information on the achievements of their respective Ministries, she further said.