Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu has charged Information Officers in the State to embrace professionalism, adaptability, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the discharge of their responsibilities to further add value to the Administration’s M.O.R.E. Agenda
Mr. Aniagwu gave the charge on Monday in Asaba while declaring open a one-day compulsory capacity-building workshop for Information Officers, organized by the Ministry of Information.
In his opening remarks at the event, Aniagwu threw a thought-provoking question to participants: “Do you know who you are?” He stressed that beyond appearances, Information Officers must cultivate a culture of discipline, adaptability, and relationship-building skills that reflect their role as frontline image makers for the state government.
“As an engineer knows his tools and duties, so must an Information Officer know not just what to do, but how to carry himself. Your appearance matters, your conduct matters, and your ability to connect with different audiences matters,” he stated.
The Commissioner emphasized that the primary duty of Information Officers is to foster goodwill for their principals and organizations. “You have only one function as a Public Relations Officer, and that is making friends for your principal. If someone insults your boss, don’t fight back; instead, engage, build rapport, and let the person see your principal’s perspective,” he advised.
While underscoring the importance of synergy with media houses, Aniagwu urged officers to cultivate cordial relationships with their colleagues and demonstrate value-building in every duty post they find themselves. He noted that embracing Artificial Intelligence was a central focus of the workshop, describing AI as “a tool that will ease your work, make it more efficient, and aid timely production.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Functioning Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Harold Ojii said the training was timely, as many officers had not received formal orientation since their employment. “Today, we are here to learn how to improve our work in line with the M.O.R.E. Agenda of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori. We are also here to learn to use AI, because most of us are still in the analog era,” he noted, while commending Aniagwu for facilitating the initiative.
The workshop featured three technical sessions handled by seasoned facilitators: Mr. Akpoebi Balebo on “Minutes, Memorandum and Other Administrative Processes”; Ms. Cynthia Orife on “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence Tools in Information Delivery,” and Mr. Giovanni Emephia, who anchored an interactive session on newsroom culture, news writing, and reporting.
Participants expressed appreciation for the training, describing it as a long-awaited opportunity to sharpen their skills and align with modern communication practices
