U.S. Mission Partners Nigeria’s Ministry of Information and Communications on Use of New Media to Promote Democracy and Governance
(Abuja: Tuesday, July 28, 2009)

Ambassador Sanders making remarks at the media workshop for journalists and Information Officers in Abuja. | FULL SIZE

“One of the Pillars of Democracy is that of an informed citizenry,” says Ambassador Sanders on Monday, July 27th, 2009, at the opening of a three day workshop for twenty five Nigerian information professionals and journalists from all the regions of the country on use of the new media for open flow of information. 

U.S. target of opportunity speaker and Library Consultant Dr. Barbara Jones is facilitating the training workshop organized by the Ministry of Information and Communications in partnership with the U.S. Mission in Nigeria. 

Ambassador Sanders said that governing justly and democratically requires that citizens be informed about their government, encourage trust, combat corruption and ensure the rule of law.  “And new technologies help us achieve these goals,” she stressed. 

The Ambassador thanked the Minister of Information and Communications, Professor Dora Akunyili, for her commitment to transparent government and the free flow of information, and she is pleased to be able to partner with the Minister to ensure that her staff has the tools and training they need to communicate with the people of Nigeria.  (Full text of Ambassador Sanders’ remarks)

Declaring the workshop  officially open, Information and Communications Minister Professor Dora Akunyili praised Ambassador Sanders’ quick response to her request for capacity building training for Nigerian information professionals and journalists. 

She told the participants, who are mostly senior information managers, that the workshop is designed to invigorate and reposition the Nigerian Government’s information management and dissemination strategy in line with global best practices.

“This training will empower participants to provide Nigerians, and the world at large, credible and timely information on government activities, programs and initiatives,” the minister highlighted.   She hoped that the U.S. Mission will facilitate a follow on training at regional levels to enhance the participants’ technical knowledge on new technologies for information dissemination.

U.S. trainer Dr. Barbara Jones reiterated these points in her training, emphasizing that: The open flow of information is the backbone of a functioning democracy; the open flow of information is the backbone of a healthy and diversifying economy; and government transparency is essential for citizens to trust their democracy. 

The beneficiaries of the program are expected to share their knowledge with other staff back in their respective regions.