Ogun Urges Information Officers to Adopt Emerging Tech for Effective Communication
Abeokuta – Information and Public Relations Officers (IPROs) in Ogun State have been charged to embrace emerging technologies to enhance information gathering and dissemination for improved service delivery.
The call was made by the State Head of Service, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, during a one-day training organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Information Chapel, in collaboration with the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB). The event, themed “Advancing Information Dissemination through Emerging Technologies,” emphasised the need for government communicators to leverage digital tools for efficient public engagement.
Onasanya stressed the importance of adopting modern technologies such as social media platforms, content management systems, and data visualisation tools to ensure timely and accurate communication. He noted that well-crafted reports lose value if delayed or misrepresented, urging IPROS to prioritise creativity and depth in their reportage.
Highlighting Governor Dapo Abiodun’s strides in technological advancement, Onasanya cited initiatives like *OG-Tax* for revenue optimisation and *OLARMS* for seamless land documentation. He urged information managers to support government policies by utilising emerging tech tools to reach a wider audience.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Communication, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Waheed Adesina, reiterated the government’s commitment to equipping its workforce with the necessary tech tools for optimal performance.
FUNAAB’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kehinde Babatunde, represented by Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development), Prof. Mufutau Atayese, commended the state government for prioritising digital upskilling, noting that emerging technologies like AI and social media could further amplify policy dissemination.
In a keynote address, the Special Adviser on ICT, Mr. Dayo Abiodun, represented by BIT Director Mrs. Olatundun Adekunte, emphasised the need for IPROS to transition from analogue methods to digital literacy, citing skills such as desktop publishing, graphic design, and cloud-based operations as essential for modern governance communication.
In a related development, members of the Nigeria Association of Computing Students (NACOS), FUNAAB chapter, were urged to elevate their tech innovations to global standards at the maiden DigiFest 1.0, themed “Tech Genesis: The Inaugural Call to Innovate.”
Mrs. Adekunte highlighted Governor Abiodun’s establishment of the *Ogun Tech Hub* to empower youths through free tech training, urging students to leverage the platform for career growth. NACOS leaders, Fathia Odusiji and Adeife Omisore, applauded the state’s tech investments while advocating for scholarships and laptops to support budding innovators.
The event reinforced Ogun State’s commitment to fostering a tech-driven workforce and youth development in line with its *Building Our Future Together* agenda.
Olayinka Ezema
Ministry of Information & Strategy, Ogun State
