By Nkechi Eze
The leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Information Chapel, has initiated moves to deepen collaboration with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in a bid to enhance the capacity of government spokespersons and Information Officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
The initiative formed the focus of a courtesy visit by the Chapel’s executive members to the Director General of NOA on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
According to an official statement signed by the Chapel’s Secretary, Comrade (Dr) Kanayo Offiong, the delegation was led by the Chairman, Comrade Towoju Raphael, who applauded the Agency’s sustained efforts in driving national reorientation and promoting civic responsibility. He described the proposed partnership as timely, particularly in strengthening the professional competence of government communicators.
Raphael stressed the need for structured training programmes aimed at equipping spokespersons within MDAs with contemporary communication skills that align with the rapidly evolving media environment. He noted that improved capacity would enhance the credibility, coherence, and effectiveness of official information dissemination.
In his response, the Director General of NOA commended the Chapel for its professionalism and commitment to responsible public communication. He assured the Union of the Agency’s readiness to collaborate in areas consistent with its mandate, especially initiatives that promote ethical standards and effective information management.
The NOA chief also reiterated the importance of positioning the Federal Ministry of Information as a central clearing house for government communication, emphasizing that Information Officers must be adequately trained and empowered to compete effectively with practitioners in the mainstream media.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of symbolic gestures, as the Chapel presented copies of its publication to the Director General, who in turn presented the National Values Charter plaque to the Union, reinforcing a shared resolve to uphold integrity, professionalism, and national values in public communication.
