As part of efforts to boost citizens’ participation in governance, the Akwa Ibom State Government has unveiled local dialect versions of its periodic publication, Wetin Udom Don Do.

The publication, which now has Ibibio, Annang and Oro versions, is distributed across the state, with textual and pictorial materials focusing on the activities, programmes and policies of the Governor Udom Emmanuel-led government and unique marketing potential of the state. 

Unveiling the new versions at the weekend, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, said the innovation was geared at gaining wider reach of the people in the local communities through their local dialects.

“The ministry will not rest on its oars until it completely discharges its mandate of feeding the public with government policies, programmes and activities,” Ememobong said.

This is contained in a statement sent to The Guardian by the Public Relations Director of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mrs Grace Akpan.

Ememobong, according to the statement, disclosed that the ministry will fight all barriers that will hinder it from carrying out its mandate of public enlightenment and getting citizens feedback to government for an effective citizens participation in governance.

He said the state government would continue to be transparent and accessible to the public while also evolving feedback mechanism through the ministry for enhanced public participation in government processes.

Speaking while presenting the publications to the information officers, the Permanent Secretary, Akparawa James Edet, asked the staff to disseminate and circulate the publications as good ambassadors of the government to every nook and cranny of the state.

Akparawa James Edet called for hard work and creativity from the information officers for the common goal of promoting the visions and programmes of the government.

In a vote of thanks, the Director of Information, Mrs Blessing Urua, eulogised the commissioner for the foresight and ingenuity in translating government programmes and activities into Pidgin English and also in the three major languages of the state expressing the optimism that, the publications will achieve the desired goal.

Present at the event were the Director of Public Relations, Mrs Grace Akpan, Director of Administration, Mrs Tiouba Nduonofit, Director of Technical Services, Mr. Edet Nsuwara, Director of Strategy Mr Aniekan Ukpong, Director of Archives Mrs Eunice Egharevba and the Head of the Legal Unit, Mrs Edo Koko.