Yobe State Governor, Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, CON, has called on social media aides serving in his administration to clearly distinguish between their personal expressions and official responsibilities in the course of public communication.
The Governor made the call on Friday through the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, mni, during the second-day session of a three-day capacity-building workshop held at Raffle Suites, Kaduna, for Senior Special Assistants (SSAs), Senior Technical Assistants (STAs), and Technical Assistants (TAs) on Media and Technical Services.
Governor Buni emphasized the need for public office holders, particularly those managing official communications, to conduct themselves with utmost responsibility, discretion, and professionalism in line with the expectations of their roles.
“Always distinguish your personal views from official government positions,” Buni said. “When you speak or write in your official capacity, remember that you are representing not just yourself, but the government and people of Yobe State.”
He warned that misusing government platforms for personal opinions or sentiments could damage the credibility of the administration and erode public trust.
Commending the organisers, Governor Buni described the workshop as timely and essential in equipping his media aides with the skills needed to navigate the fast-evolving landscape of digital communication and public engagement.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Information and Culture, Hon. Abdullahi Bego, expressed optimism that the training would enhance professionalism and boost the quality of media-related services rendered by the aides.
One of the lead facilitators, Prof. Danjuma Gambo, cautioned participants against the use of gory or insensitive images in their stories, urging them to be ethical and people-sensitive in their reporting.
Other resource persons at the workshop included Prof. Nura Ibrahim of Bayero University, Kano; Dr. Musa Usman, Dr. Ibrahim Uba Yusuf, and Mallam Muhammad Auwal Umar of the University of Maiduguri’s Department of Mass Communication; as well as Mallam Yushau A. Shuaib of PR Nigeria.
Present at the event were several top Yobe State Government officials, including the Special Adviser on Religious Affairs, Ustaz Babagana Kyari; Permanent Secretary Alhaji Modu; General Manager of YOROTA, Bature Goniri; PA Domestic, Hassan Shettima; Permanent Member of Hisba, Dr. Kasim Damagum; and Director of Information Services, Ali Musa Yawale.
Participants expressed appreciation to the Governor for his support and pledged to apply the knowledge acquired to enhance their professional conduct and improve public communication on behalf of the government.
