CGC Adeniyi Urges Customs PROs To Master Techniques Of Combating Disinformation
By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Comptroller -General of the Nigeria Customs Service,Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,has urged Public Relations Officers of the service to master how to combat disinformation and promote transparency as a standard practise.
CGC Adeniyi made the call in Kano on Monday while declaring open a workshop themed:”Beyond Masters of Ceremonies:The Stategic Role of Public Relations Officers For Institutional Growth and Stakeholders Trust,” organized for Public Relations Officers of the service’s commands nationwide.
Represented by the service’s Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of operations and enforcement,Timi Bomodi, Adeniyi said:”Our service is modernising operations, automating processes, and aligning with global best practises.
“These reforms, however, cannot be sustained without trust. Trust is built not only by enforcing laws, but also by communicating clearly, consistently, and readily.
“This is the central beauty of our public relations officers, and they must be equipped to communicate the objectives of our policies, explain the rationale for our actions, and listen actively to the concerns of stakeholders.
“In today’s interconnected world, where a single message can go viral in minutes, our PROs must also master digital platforms. Our PROs must also learn to master how to combat disinformation and promote transparency as a standard practise.
“The work of a public relations officer is not without its challenges. You will face crises that test your judgement, criticism that questions your integrity, and moments of pressure where silence may seem safer than speaking. I’m sure a lot of us have faced those kinds of situations,” he said.
He described the workshop as both timely and forward-looking,as “It challenges us to rethink the traditional perceptions of the PROs as mere announcers, moderators, or event managers.”
In his remarks,the Director- General Media and Publicity to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf,Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa,
said Public Relations Officers should be seen as strategic thinkers and institutional leaders, and not ceremonial facilitators.
Dawakin Tofa said Public Relations had evolved “far beyond the ring and protocol and press release or press statements in today’s world where perception often shapes the reality. The public relations officer is no longer a background figure.”
“We are now central to the architectural design of trust and reputation management. The design of reputation and sustainability of institutional growth is our cardinal role, not just about communication, but communication results that create influence, insight, and impact for the people we serve,” he added.
The Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano,(BUK), venue of the workshop, Prof.Haruna Musa,said Public Relations Officers played a vital role in shaping the image of an organisation, building relationships with stakeholders and communicating the organisation’s message to the public.
“We believe that strong relationships with stakeholders, including government agencies, industry partners and broader communities, are essential for our success.
“Therefore, this workshop is a strategic capacity building initiative aimed at enhancing the professionalism of Nigeria Customs Service across customs commands and commend the Service for recognising the importance of filtering the gap between the town and government, strengthening public engagement efforts and enhancing effective communication of government policies,”Musa said.