LASG advocates strategic information dissemination

Lagos State Government has advocated effective information dissemination to foster transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in governance. The state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated this, yesterday, during the Citizens Accountability and Right Forum (CARF), a monthly stakeholders’ interactive roundtable on public policymaking and execution, organised by the Committee ForDefence of Human Rights (CDHR), in collaboration with Centre For Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership (CACOL), as well as an award ceremony.

The roundtable themed: “Efficient Information Dissemination as a Veritable Tool for Effective Participatory Governance: How far, so far in Lagos State,” aimed at discussing contemporary issues and government policies as they relate to the well-being of the citizens.

Omotoso, who was represented by the Director, Strategy Centre, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Kayode Oyekanmi, stated that when citizens are well-informed, they would be better positioned to contribute meaningfully to governance, engage with the government, and actively participate in the democratic process.

“Effective communication is pivotal to trust-building and inclusive governance. As a result, we have made it a core component of our strategy through a blend of traditional and digital platforms,” he said.

The commissioner said that the ministry had introduced various platforms to enhance accessibility and inclusivity, which include the Citizens Gate App, toll-free hotlines, and official social media channels.

The tools, he noted, would allow citizens to access information, voice their concerns, and receive feedback conveniently. President of CDHR and Chairman of CACOL, Debo Adeniran, in his opening remarks, said efficient information dissemination ensures that citizens are well-informed about government policies, decisions, and actions. He noted that it bridges the gap between the government and the governed, fostering trust, transparency, and inclusivity in decision-making processes.