The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring equitable development and prosperity for all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, regional background, ethnicity, or religion.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance in Abuja when state Commissioners of Information paid him a courtesy visit.
He emphasized that while the commissioners may represent different political parties, their shared goal should be to ensure Nigeria thrives across all sectors. He noted that just as commissioners of health, agriculture, and other areas regularly collaborate with federal counterparts, the same synergy should drive the information sector.
“This platform has come to stay. We don’t have to wait until the National Council on Information meets before we brainstorm on how to make this sector stronger and more effective,” Idris said. He thanked the governors for enabling their commissioners to engage at the federal level.
The minister stressed that challenges such as poverty, hunger, poor healthcare, bad roads, and subsidy-related issues affect all Nigerians, not just members of one political party. “President Bola Tinubu is working for the good of every Nigerian, and that is why governors from opposition parties continue to collaborate with him,” he added.
Idris also highlighted the importance of regular town hall meetings to deepen citizens’ engagement. He disclosed that federal media teams had recently held such meetings in Enugu and Ebonyi, inspecting projects and interacting with residents.
Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, reminded the commissioners that the National Orientation Agency (NOA), present in all states, serves both federal and state governments. He urged them to ensure their governors provide adequate funding for communications, sensitization, and the empowerment of state information managers.
Similarly, Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Mr. Sunday Dare, said stronger collaboration between states and the federal government would accelerate prosperity for Nigerians. He encouraged the commissioners to step up public education on government policies and programmes.
Leader of the delegation and Borno State Commissioner for Information, Prof. Usman Tar, assured the minister that their platform is open for partnership. He appealed for capacity building, noting that many commissioners are not public relations specialists, and requested support for state-level town hall meetings.