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By Isaac Mission
The Ebonyi State Government has called for stronger public participation and improved communication of its policies and programmes as it highlights what it describes as key achievements of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru’s administration ahead of the 2027 political season.
The appeal was made during a two-day strategic citizens’ engagement and sensitisation workshop organised by the Ebonyi State Ministry of Information in partnership with Iykon Global Foundation at Remeritona Hotel in Abakaliki.
The programme focused on creating greater public awareness of the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru, as well as encouraging stakeholders to play a more active role in communicating government initiatives.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Deputy Governor Princess Patricia Obila said the engagement was important for deepening public understanding of the administration’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
According to her, the state government has recorded progress in several areas, including infrastructure development, education, scholarship opportunities within and outside the country, and human capital development.
She encouraged media practitioners, social media users and members of the public to help disseminate accurate information about government programmes and projects.
Obila maintained that effective communication and meaningful citizen involvement would help ensure that government interventions reach the people they are intended to serve while also improving public understanding of the administration’s policies.
The Commissioner for Information, Barrister Ikeuwa Omebe, similarly appealed for stronger cooperation between print, broadcast and digital media organisations.
He said closer collaboration among media practitioners would improve the coverage of government activities and ensure that information on policies, programmes and achievements reaches a wider audience across Ebonyi State.
The Executive Director of Iykon Global Foundation, Ambassador Eupraim Iyke Nwonu, disclosed that his organisation had carried out a statewide survey to document the performance of the administration.
He explained that the exercise was aimed at producing factual and verifiable material, including photographic evidence, on government projects and programmes for public access.
Also speaking, the Head of Service, Dr RitaMary Okoro, urged journalists and other stakeholders to base their reports on credible evidence.
She advised media practitioners to make use of the facts, figures and supporting information presented during the workshop when reporting on the activities and achievements of the state government.
Participants at the event included government officials, journalists, traditional and religious leaders, representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations, as well as women, youth and student representatives.
The organisers said the engagement was intended to strengthen the relationship between government and citizens while promoting wider awareness of public policies and development initiatives in the state.