The Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, in collaboration with Global Education Media Limited, has hosted a one-day conference for Public Affairs Officers (PAOs) across the state’s education sector.
Themed “Strategic Communication: Advancing the Lagos Education Agenda through Effective Public Affairs Engagement,” the conference underscored the role of strategic communication in promoting government policies, programmes, and achievements.
In her keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, highlighted the importance of PAOs in shaping public perception, fostering transparency, and supporting the Lagos Education Agenda. She urged them to embrace professionalism, innovation, collaboration, and teamwork in communicating government policies effectively.
She also noted that education remains the third pillar of the THEMES Plus Agenda and a foundation for the others.
In his goodwill message, the Director of the Public Affairs Department, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Adesegun Ogundeji, stressed the need for collaboration among government communication professionals to ensure accurate and timely information dissemination.
He also advised PAOs to maximise digital and traditional media, build strong media relationships, and master crisis communication.
The CEO of Global Education Media Limited and Project Director of Lagos Schools Online, Mr. Durotimi Adeboye, thanked the Permanent Secretary and the ministry for their support, noting that educational challenges require partnership and a shared vision for quality education in Lagos State.
The conference featured presentations by Professor Tunde Musbau Akanni of Lagos State University, who spoke on strengthening collaboration among agencies under the ministry, and Mr. Victor Banjo of Lagos Business School, who addressed strategic, proactive, and collaborative communication, including reputation management and stakeholder engagement in the public sector.
