In a move to keep up with the evolving digital landscape, the Federal Government of Nigeria has called on the information officers of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to embrace digital innovations for enhancing national security.
As reported by PUNCH, The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, made this call during a one-day training workshop organized by the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The workshop, themed "Renewing Hope and Strengthening National Unity Through Effective Communication and the Role of the Official Secrets Act in Maintaining Confidentiality and National Security," brought together information managers from across the government.
In his keynote address, the SGF emphasized the importance of adapting communication strategies to the changing digital landscape, where information is disseminated and consumed at an unprecedented pace.
"The advent of digital media, social networking platforms, and instant messaging has revolutionized the way information is disseminated and consumed," Akume said. "To thrive in this dynamic environment, information managers must adapt their branding to resonate with contemporary audiences who are increasingly digital-savvy and discerning in their consumption of information."
The SGF, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office at the Office of the SGF, Dr. Maurice Mbaeri, also stressed the need to maintain confidentiality and national security through the effective implementation of the Official Secrets Act.
"The leaking of official secrets is a felony, and there is no defense for such an act in the constitution of Nigeria or the Freedom of Information Act," Akume stated, highlighting the government's commitment to tightening the information landscape and preventing unauthorized disclosures.
The Director General of the BPSR, Mr. Dasuki Arabi, explained that the training aimed to empower communication managers on their critical roles in maintaining confidentiality and national security under the Official Secrets Act.
"This training also serves to strengthen national unity through effective communication in public services and to leverage social media for effective governance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda on improved governance for effective service delivery," Arabi said.