Gains of 2019 EAC Policom Workshop; Prof Oboh, Oghenesivbe to Co-Author Book On Strategic Communication In Governance.

...Commends Gov Okowa’s Human Capital Development Strides in Delta.

TRACKING >Ace political communication strategist and Fellow of the Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration, FCIDA, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has said that materials presented at the first edition of the Delta Strategic Political Communication Workshop held in May, this year, shall form substantial chapters in a book titled “Fundamentals Of Strategic Communication In Democratic Governance” to be coauthored by Prof Godwin Oboh, the Chief Trainer and Head of Mass Communication Department, Delta State University, Abraka.

The immediate past Executive Assistant to Governor Okowa on Communications made this known during a public affairs radio programme in Lagos, on Monday August 12, 2019.

He disclosed that Oboh as the lead author shall expand the resource materials such that would add depth and comparative analysis of chains of events and developments since the advent of constitutional democracy in 1999, so as to further enhance knowledge and capacity building for those deeply involved or engaged in regular media and communication activities in government.

He assured that the book will also serve as a reference encyclopedia for media practitioners whose professional services include but not limited to press relations, media management, political advertising and campaign management; and as a guide to freshers in strategic communication especially young graduates who are desirous of building enduring and unique career in writing via social media platforms.

Oghenesivbe stressed the need for professionalism in handling hate speech, fake or false news, biased criticisms and crisis management by spokespersons, media and communication assistants in government and political parties; which the book shall dwell on extensively.

He thanked Delta State Government for sponsoring the 2019 three-day strategic communication workshop held at Orchid Hotel Asaba from May 15-17, with 140 participants in attendance including key media and communication persons at state and local government levels.

“Governor Okowa’s passion for human capital development made it possible for 140 participants to benefit from a robust capacity building strategic communication workshop, first of its kind in Delta State, in more than 25 years.

“One of the major gains of the workshop is that it brought sanity to social media platforms, because participants from the social media segment came to the realisation after the workshop that falsehood, black propagandas, insults and abuses, radical criticism without corresponding facts and figures contributes nothing to the advancement of democracy and good governance in our collective quest to build a Stronger Delta State.

“The credit must go to the governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, who strongly believe that non confrontational interface in partisan politics, between government officials and the governed will better promote unity and peaceful coexistence irrespective of political affiliations and interests.

“Once the book is published in few months from now, but not exceeding October this year, it will be launched and participants at the 2019 workshop shall be entitled to a copy each, free of charge,” Oghenesivbe said.

It will be recalled that the 2019 Strategic Political Communication Workshop was organised by the office of the Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on Communications in collaboration with the office of the Secretary to Delta State Government.

The three days workshop was declared opened by the former Secretary to Delta State Government, Rt Hon Festus Ovie Agas, with Delta Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, Commissioners for Information, Economic Planning, then Commerce and Industry now Trade and Investments; Communication Manager, Government House, Jackson Ekwugum, CPS to Governor now Information Commissioner, Hon Charles Aniagwu, former EA Orientation to Governor now DG, Bureau of Orientation, Barrister Eugene Azuka Uzum, Facilitators and 140 participants in attendance. It was a huge success.