Waiya Urges Information Officers to Strengthen Fight Against Misinformation
By Maikudi Muhammad Marafa
The Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, has called on Information Officers across Nigeria to strengthen their professional capacity and embrace modern communication strategies to effectively combat the growing menace of misinformation and disinformation.
Waiya made the call on Wednesday in Abuja during the closing ceremony of the 2026 National Professional Capacity-Building Workshop organised by the Association of Local Government Information Officers in Nigeria (ALGION).
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He said the rapidly evolving information landscape has made the responsibilities of Information Officers more critical than ever, stressing the need for practitioners to remain updated with emerging communication technologies and innovative methods of information dissemination.
According to the Commissioner, the widespread circulation of misinformation, disinformation and unverified content on social media and other digital platforms poses a significant threat that requires professionally trained Information Officers to provide timely, accurate and credible information.
He noted that the administration of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has continued to prioritise the training and retraining of Information Officers as part of efforts to strengthen effective information management and public communication across Kano State.
“In line with this commitment, I am pleased to announce that our Information Officers serving in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will soon proceed to Kaduna for an intensive training workshop on modern communication strategies. The programme is designed to equip them with contemporary skills, knowledge and tools needed to effectively communicate government policies, programmes and achievements to the public,” Waiya said.
The Commissioner described continuous professional development as a strategic investment in institutional growth, emphasizing that competent and well-equipped Information Officers are indispensable to effective governance and the promotion of public trust.
He commended participants from Kano, Borno, Jigawa, Delta and other states for their dedication to professional development, describing their participation as a demonstration of commitment to improving public service delivery.
Waiya urged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the three-day workshop to strengthen communication between government and citizens by ensuring that government policies, programmes and developmental achievements are effectively communicated to the public.
He also applauded the leadership of ALGION for organising the workshop, describing it as an important national platform for Information Officers to exchange ideas, share professional experiences and build stronger networks.
In his remarks, the National President of ALGION, Comrade Jibril Basilla, said the workshop was designed to equip members with contemporary skills in digital communication, crisis management, data-driven reporting and strategic public enlightenment.
Basilla expressed appreciation to the Kano State Government under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for its sustained support towards the professional development and welfare of Information Officers in the state.
The workshop featured lectures, presentations and interactive sessions on contemporary issues in public communication, information management and professional practice. It concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants who successfully completed the training programme.
Participants also expressed appreciation to the organisers and facilitators for providing a valuable platform to enhance their professional knowledge, exchange experiences with colleagues from across the country and strengthen networks that will improve their effectiveness in public communication.
A major highlight of the event was the honour bestowed on Commissioner Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya by Information Officers from Borno State, who recognised him as an exemplary leader deserving of appreciation and commendation for his contributions to the advancement of the information profession.
Signed:
Balarabe Abdullahi Kiru
Director, Public Enlightenment
Kano State Ministry of Information and Internal Affairs
