Nigeria’s Interior Ministry is hosting an intensive media masterclass aimed at retooling Public Relations Officers (PROs) and media teams under its command.
Themed: “Beyond Press Statements: Media as a Tool for Public Engagement,” the masterclass is holding today, at the Wazobia Hall, in Abuja Continental Hotel, and is expected to set a new benchmark for government communication standards.
The special guest of honour at the event is the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, whose reformist vision has driven several initiatives around digitalisation, internal security, and inter-agency synergy within the ministry.
Techparley’s Mikhail Hammed is live at the event, and brings us the report with editorial support from YAKUB ABDULRASHEED and QUADRI ADEJUMO.
3:40 p.m. Photography for Storytelling and Videography as an Explainer tool- Gabriel Tayo and Obakunle Ifeoluwa (Official Photographer and Videographer to Minister of Interior)
Speaker Gabriel Tayo delivers insights on how public relation officers can effectively communicate information about their professional duties.
He also touches on using photography to narrate their daily experiences and capture the attention of their target audience.
His partner, videographer Obakunle Ifeoluwa, discusses the importance of video editing in storytelling, highlighting its attention-grabbing and time-saving benefits.
Present service PROs and media members express appreciation to the ministry, facilitators, and their agencies, while also reflecting on the key takeaways from the training.
3:05 p.m. Leveraging Digital Media for Public Engagement: Dr Oladele Peter- Digital Media for Public Engagement
Speaking on how to engage the public through digital media, Dr. Oladele urges participants to go beyond just issuing press statements, noting that they are dealing with Gen Z.
Dr. Oladele also highlights the indispensability of digital media for media workers, stating that it’s already their reality and they must live by it.
“Digital media has taken over, and you must leap with the trend, put in pictures and show what the agency is all about,” he said.
2:20 p.m. Beyond Press Statement: Media and Crisis Communication. Lessons for Service PROs — Basheer Hassan, GM Business Day, Northern Operations
Media expert Basheer Hassan, the second speaker, expresses his appreciation to the ministry for organizing the training programme. He begins by asking participants to define a journalist, then highlights the importance of in-service training for professionals to master the skills required in their field.
Basheer emphasizes that protecting the image of the represented organization is the main objective of public relation officers, urging them to be truthful and simple in conveying information to their target audience.
He advocates for a better understanding of the professional relationship between mainstream media workers and public relation officers, encouraging critical presentation of events beyond just publishing success stories.
The session concludes with a practical exercise, where participants are divided into groups to brainstorm and present on crisis communication and media management, showcasing how their agencies receive, entertain, and react to crises professionally.
12:40 p.m. Beyond Press Statements: Building a Micro Newsroom as a Service — Seun Okinbaloye, Presenter, Channels TV
Channels Television presenter Seun Okinbaloye is delivering a session on “Building a Micro Newsroom as a Service,” where he emphasizes the evolving role of Public Relations Officers in the digital media age.
He begins on a light note, joking about the sitting arrangement, which he describes as deliberately designed to keep the session interactive.
Okinbaloye’s presentation focuses on the importance of headline clarity, stating that both the headline and the lead paragraph of any report should capture all critical angles of the story.
His insights offer valuable lessons for public relations officers navigating the evolving media terrain, highlighting the importance of adaptability, precision, and creativity in crafting compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences.
“Keep your reports or public briefings concise, three paragraphs are enough. It’s the job of journalists to turn them into lengthier stories,” he advised.
Okinbaloye revisits the fundamentals of news reporting, the purpose of a newsroom, and the crucial roles Public Relations Officers play in shaping public narratives.
In a practical exercise, he divides participants into groups, tasking them with a five-minute brainstorming session to define news, identify newsroom components, and outline PRO duties. Each group presents their ideas within a minute, sparking lively collaboration and insightful contributions.
During the presentations, Seun emphasizes that everyone in the newsroom matters, as significant stories can emerge from unexpected angles. He advises participants to communicate in news languages relevant to their field and concludes with professional advice: pay attention to details and work across media platforms to keep the public informed about their agency’s operations.
The session wraps up with a Q&A segment, addressing participants’ questions and clarifying key takeaways.
11:45 a.m. – Keynote Address by Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo
In his keynote address, the Minister welcomes agency heads, facilitators, and media personnel, commending the facilitators’ expertise and highlighting the training’s significance for participants.
“Media is not a profession for the lazy,” he notes, urging Public Relations Officers to adopt a data-driven, proactive, and strategic approach to their roles.
He stresses the importance of professionalism and clarity in public communication, emphasizing that PROs must be prepared to articulate and defend their work effectively.
11:30 a.m. – Programme Commencement and Recognition of Guests
The event kicks off with the recitation of the national anthem, followed by the formal recognition of key dignitaries, and opening remarks by Babatunde Alao, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Minister of Interior.
Present at the venue are the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Prof. A. A. Audi; the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nandap; a representative of the Federal Fire Service; the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakule.
Also in attendance are media consultant Femi Salako, CDCFIB’s Zamzam Musa and media and communications strategist, Chinedu Chidi who moderated the event.
