By COLLINS YAKUBU-HAMMER

The National Council on Information and National Orientation has resolved and approved that the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and Voice of Nigeria (VON) should open offices in some selected countries.

This is contained in a communique issued at the end of the 48th Meeting of the council held from December 11 to December 13 in Kaduna.

The meeting wit? the theme, ?Enhancing Public Information Management for Inclusive Governance: The Renewed Hope Agenda in Focus?, was organised by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting had in attendance Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Stakeholders in the Information and public communication ecosystem in the country.

The communique was signed by the Chairman of the Committee, Binta Mamman, a Commissioner from Niger and nine other members from the ministry.

According to the communique, the said offices will complement the efforts of the Nigeria Information Service Centres (NISCs) in 13 countries abroad.

It added, ?Council resolved and approved the adoption and implementation of the National Policy on Information document which aims to transform Nigeria?s Information sector at all levels.

?This will give necessary support to the country?s democracy, economic growth and global influence.

?States should comply with the re-designation of Information Officer Cadre as Information and Public Relations Officer for Officers on GL 08-17 and Executive Officers (Information and Public Relations) on GL 06-14.

?That NISCs in 13 countries abroad with four regional/zonal headquarters within these Centres for the purpose of prompt decision making should be re-opened for reputation management as well as engendering a positive image for the country globally.

?NAN, NTA and VON should also open offices in some selected countries to complement the efforts of the NISCs.?

According to the communique, additional funding should be provided to VON, NTA and FRCN in the face of the current challenges.

It further stated that the council has adopted NAN?s initiative to expand its content production and dissemination to include indigenous Nigerian languages.

The council also noted the need to reposition the National Institute of Public Information (NIPI) Kaduna, as a citadel for conduct of training and capacity building for Information and Public Relations practitioners in the country.

The council also recommended the revitalisation of the completion of construction of the Federal Government Printing Press (FGP) in Asokoro, Abuja and strengthening the Nigerian Press Council for effective print media regulation in the country.

The other recommendations included strengthening community-based media for effective operations in insecurity-prone areas and that Media houses should become fully digitalised for effective information dissemination.

?Heads of Information-based organisations should provide appropriate communication facilities/equipment/infrastructure, and a conducive working environment for their organisations.

?In order to avoid the misuse of Artificial Intelligence, the Federal Government, through its appropriate institution, regulates AI use in the country.

?This should be done in line with global best practices as well as mandate relevant agencies involved in AI to address related challenges/threats.

?To address the flagrant abuse and disrespect of the national symbols by implementing measures aimed at restoring the dignity and standardisation of these symbols of unity and identity.

?To ensure the implementation of the National Values Charter as approved by the Federal Executive Council as measures to revive Nigeria?s value system as part of the National Identity Project,? it said. (NAN)

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