RAAMP Workshop Advocates Transparency, Integrity in Communication for Public Trust
A 5-day capacity building programme on
the theme: “Communication and Dissemination Strategies to Facilitate Project Results” has ended in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, with a strong emphasis on the essence of
transparency, truth and integrity in the regular communication messages by government at all levels and other categories of employers with a view to building and maintaining public trust.
Such messages should always be clear, distinctive and unambiguous, hence all
Communication and Information Management officials should be well versed across board in their respective organisations’ activities to promote their routine duties of effective projection and corporate image management.
The National Coordinator of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, RAAMP, Engr. Aminu Bodinga Mohammed gave the renewed emphasis recently while declaring the programme open, describing effective communication as critical in addressing food insecurity, diffusing tension and ensuring the overall success of any organisation’s programs, among other notabilities.
Represented by the Cross River State Project Coordinator of RAMP, Mr. Henry Tawo, the National Coordinator further stressed on “the dire need for Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as other categories of employers to equip their respective communications departments with the necessary tools and skills to enhance their public communication strategies” and enjoined all stakeholders to maximise the benefits of the exercise for best results.
On his part, the Lead Consultant of Baseline PubComms, Kasim Baba AlKasim appreciated the world Bank; French Development Agency and the leadership of RAAMP for granting approval for the workshop, while expressing optimism that the programme would realise the primary objectives for which it was conceived
In his presentation on “Agribusiness, Extension Services, Rural Development and Community Outreach,” Dr. Yalo Idenyi Okpanachi of the University of Calabar frowned at the menace of food insecurity in the country, stressing that social insecurity and lack of mechanisation are few of the causative factors of food insecurity across the country.
His words: “As communication managers of RAAMP, you need to tell your story again and again to achieve the desired effect. You cannot transform if you are not informed, hence information handlers must be up-to-date about their respective organisations and environs so as to be well versed for effective communication.”
Other presentations included: “Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and Issues in Agriculture and Rural Development” by
Dr. Kyrian Akira Ukeh; “Media Relations / Press Release / Public Statement” by Dr. Paul Angiona Adie; “Crisis Communication and Damage Control” by Dr. Evaristus Akpanke Ushie; as well as “Report Gathering / Writing and Administrative Reporting” by Prof Hodo Bassey Riman; among other discussions and case studies.
Participants were drawn from Communication officers; Management Information Systems Officers; and other essential staff from the Federal Project Management Unit, FPMU of RAAMP as well as 20 states currenly involved in the project, while the programme was held at Nesville Suites, No. 1, Anita Close, Off Spring Road, Essien Town, Calabar, Cross River State.
