The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris has signed a performance bond with heads of parastatal agencies under his supervision.
Idris seperately signed the bond with the agencies at the Sectorial Retreat of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and its agencies on Tuesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the move aims at delivery on the mandate of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The agencies that signed the bond include Voice of Nigeria, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, National Orientation Agency, National Broadcasting Commission and Nigerian Press Council.
Others are NAN, Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria and Nigerian Television Authority.
The two-day sectorial retreat with the theme “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda: The Role of Ministry of Information and National Orientation and Her Agencies’’ was organised by the ministry.
The minister directed the agencies to work assiduously towards communicating the successes of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Since the advent of this administration, there has been a structured agenda to achieve a Renewed Hope Initiative with all MDAs involved; and with a tracking system to ensure compliance.
“This tracking system is managed by the Central Results Delivery and Coordinating Unit (CRDCU) in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
“All of you here are responsible for delivering our results to this office as Heads or Delivery Officers. This retreat is organised to ensure that we understand this responsibility.
“You may recall that the Permanent Secretary and I signed a performance bond with the President to guarantee that we would fulfil the ministry’s mandate.
“I have been told that the Permanent Secretary has involved directors to also commit to the process.
“Me and Heads of Parastatal Agencies under my ministry will sign the performance bond as well,” Idris said.
The Minister said the heads of the public information organs and information departments in the ministry need to have an in-depth understanding of the efforts that the government is putting into renewing hope.
He added that, they need to communicate to the public effectively on issues concerning improved minimum wage, student loans, consumer credit, loans to big and small businesses as well as different support grants.
“The government is also not resting on its oars regarding infrastructure and social projects around the country; we must understand these efforts before we can communicate them successfully,” he said.
Idris said the ministry’s remit also includes regulatory responsibilities and the partnerships being offered to other government organisations to communicate their respective mandates.
The minister therefore urged the participants to have open discussions regarding grey areas so that they do not just deliver on their mandate but are also seen to deliver well.
Idris used the occasion to thank the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman for the passion and visibility she has brought to the assignment.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ngozi Onwudiwe, in her address of welcome said the theme of the event was apt and significant.
“This retreat will provide us with an invaluable opportunity to reflect on our achievements, recognise our challenges and chart a course for future success.
“I encourage all participants to actively contribute to the discussions and share their insights and experiences.
“Collective expertise and dedication are the driving forces they will enable us to deliver on our mandate and meet the expectations of Nigerian populace,’’ Onwudiwe said.
NAN also reports that high point of the opening ceremony was the presentation of Delivery Task Team to the minister
Members of the Task Team were drawn from the ministry and all the parastatal agencies under the ministry. (NAN)