Minister Urges States To Retain Information Ministries

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called on state governments to retain their ministries of information, emphasizing their critical role in governance and public engagement. Speaking at the 48th National Council of Information and National Orientation in Kaduna, themed “Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: The Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus,” Idris highlighted the importance of these ministries in fostering transparency, accountability, and trust.

“These ministries serve as the bridge between government policies and the citizens they are designed to benefit,” he said, adding that they are essential pillars of democracy at both national and state levels.

Idris underscored that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda calls for transformational leadership and inclusive, people-oriented governance. To achieve this, he urged information managers to leverage modern technology, including artificial intelligence, to improve the speed, accuracy, and reach of government messaging. Such tools, he noted, would enhance audience engagement and provide valuable feedback for policy formulation.

The minister also stressed the urgent need to counter misinformation and fake news, which he described as threats to governance and public trust. By effectively managing public information, he argued, governments at all levels could better address misinformation and reinforce confidence in their policies.

Idris concluded by reiterating the value of information ministries in shaping public perception and driving inclusive governance, urging state governments to strengthen rather than scrap these critical institutions.