By Kanu Samuel
The Ondo State Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) has intensified efforts to strengthen accountability and curb misinformation at the grassroots with a two-day capacity-building workshop for local government information officers across the state.
The training, held at the Ondo State Information Technology Agency (SITA), focused on improving public relations practice and information management within local governments, amid growing concerns about the impact of inaccurate or poorly timed information on public trust and governance.
Declaring the workshop open, the Permanent Secretary of the commission, Dr. Bayo Ilawole, described information officers as critical gatekeepers whose roles directly influence governance outcomes at the local level.
Dr. Ilawole said the initiative was designed to equip officers with the professional skills required to manage information responsibly, safeguard institutional reputation and enhance service delivery across the local government system.
According to him, effective governance is impossible without a well-trained workforce, stressing that information officers must understand not only what to communicate, but when and how to do so.
“There is information that may be correct but not current, and releasing such information can create unnecessary tension.
Information officers must be able to exercise discretion, especially at the grassroots where issues escalate quickly,” he said.
He added that the training would ultimately strengthen institutional capacity and promote transparency within the Local Government Service Commission.
The President of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Ondo State chapter, Comrade Fredrick Akinrinlola, described the workshop as timely, noting that it would enhance the effectiveness of information officers and improve public communication at the council level.
He reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the interests of information officers, pledging continued advocacy for the elevation of the information unit into a full-fledged department within the Local Government Service Commission.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government Information Officers in Ondo State, Prince Akeem Momoh, commended the state government for prioritising workers’ welfare and capacity development.
He acknowledged the support of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, the LGSC Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ilawole, and other stakeholders for facilitating the workshop and providing digital equipment for local governments and related institutions.
Prince Momoh identified key challenges facing information officers, including inadequate funding, lack of essential working tools, insufficient training opportunities and the encroachment on their statutory responsibilities.
He stressed that upgrading the information unit to a department would enhance professionalism, efficiency and productivity in the local government system.
The resource person, former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ondo State Council, Comrade Adetona Aderoboye, underscored the strategic role of local governments in grassroots development.
He outlined the core responsibilities of information officers, including media relations, content production, documentation of government activities and public engagement, urging them to cultivate strong relationships with journalists and adopt best practices in media management.
At the end of the workshop, participants appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to approve the creation of a Department of Information Services within the Ondo State Local Government Service as a step towards strengthening governance communication at the grassroots.
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