By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Saturday declared open, Yobe Media Summit, at the NEDC Conference Hall in GGC Damaturu. The Summit themed “Harnessing Digital Tools for Community Impact and Engagement,” reflects the contemporary dynamics of governance and public communication in the digital age respectively.
The much anticipated Yobe Media Summit underway in Damaturu, has about 400 mainstream and social media practitioners from across the state converging for the landmark one-day event.
During his opening address, Governor Buni, who was represented by the SSG, Dr. Mohammed Goje, emphasized the transformative power of digital technology and its role in reshaping how citizens receive information and engage with their government.
Participants were drawn from the 17 Local Government Areas of Yobe State, alongside representatives of major mainstream media organisations, professional bodies and other stakeholders in the media and communication sector.
The Summit was coordinated by the Office of the Secretary to the Yobe State Government and facilitated by the Yobe State Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture.
The governor highlighted that the role of media assistants transcends beyond traditional tasks such as drafting press statements and managing social media accounts.
He called on all the participants to serve as vital intermediaries between the government and the public, encouraging truthfulness in communication and explaining policies in a manner that strengthens public trust and confidence.
According to him, the digital platforms should not simply become places where the government speaks; they should enable us to listen, understand public concerns, provide accurate information, and create meaningful interactions between government and the communities.
The governor reiterated the importance of effectively utilizing digital tools to engage citizens, especially in areas of public interest such as health, education, agriculture, and youth empowerment respectively.
The governor mentioned a fews achievements of his administration over the past seven years, which include expanding educational opportunities for over 48,000 students, enhancing healthcare infrastructure, constructing over 500 kilometers of roads, and supporting women and youth through various empowerment programmes.
He underscored the necessity for media assistants to, not just announce government projects but also convey their real-life impacts on communities at large.
He stressed the need for journalists and media personnel to have in-depth knowledge in specific sectors, enabling them to diseminate effectively, the successes and challenges faced by the respective communities they are living in.
The governor urged media representatives to reach out to various demographics, including farmers, traders, women and youths, to gather diverse perspectives that inform government actions in their communities.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego urged the participants to be used to what they will learn during the Summit so that they can be useful to their societies and the government at large.
