… Iliya urges accuracy, verification and conflict-sensitive reporting ahead of 2027 polls
By: Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
The Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Borno State on Media, Dauda Iliya, has called on Information Officers across the state to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, verify their reports before publication and actively counter misinformation, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 General Elections.
Iliya made the call on Tuesday while delivering a goodwill message at the opening of a two day workshop for Borno State Information Officers on Community-Based Conflict-Sensitive Reporting. The workshop was organised by the Borno State Ministry of Information and Internal Security in partnership with the Department of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri.
He acknowledged the presence of the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman A. Tar, who was ably represented by the Senior Special Assistant to His Excellency on Information, as well as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Aminu Chamalwa, and Directors of the Ministry.
Describing the workshop as timely, Iliya noted that it comes at a period when Borno State, under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, continues to record significant milestones across various sectors in its post-insurgency recovery, following nearly two decades of the Boko Haram conflict.
He commended the Ministry for convening the workshop and assured its leadership of the sustained support of the Governor’s Media Team in organising similar capacity-building programmes for Information Officers.
According to him, Borno has moved from the harrowing days when Internally Displaced Persons were confined to makeshift camps to dignified resettlement housing, from clustered classrooms to state of the art mega schools, from inadequate healthcare infrastructure to functional healthcare facilities, from a limited road network to modern infrastructure, and from a struggling rural economy to a transformed agriculture and livestock sector. He said these achievements are stories that Information Officers must consistently amplify.
Iliya observed that the transformation has endeared Borno to development partners, international organisations, private investors and other institutions, making the state a preferred destination for investment, intervention and development activities.
He recalled that Maiduguri recently hosted a High-Level Retreat of Nigerian Ambassadors and Diplomatic Representatives from the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin region, where the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, applauded the courage and visionary leadership of Governor Zulum and the resilience of the people of the state.
Quoting the Minister, Iliya said: “Today, Maiduguri represents a remarkably different narrative, one of resilience, courage, recovery and renewed hope. It stands as a compelling testimony to the transformative impact of visionary leadership, the resilience of the people of Borno, and the sacrifices and unwavering commitment of the government to pursue sustainable development despite daunting challenges.”
He said the Minister’s statement underscored the changing narrative about Borno State and reinforced the need for its progress to be communicated accurately, responsibly and professionally.
The Special Adviser reminded the participants that their core responsibility as Information Officers is to manage information flow, shape the narrative of their respective ministries and agencies, and project the positive image of the administration.
He further disclosed that the Zulum administration has developed several landmark policy documents and strategic frameworks aimed at promoting sustainable peace, development and recovery. These, he said, include the Borno State 25 Year Development Plan and 10 Year Strategic Plan Initiative, the Borno Model for Peace, Reconciliation and Development, the Borno State Strategy for Durable Solutions to Internal Displacement, the framework on Transitional Justice and the Changing Conflict Context in Borno State, as well as the Borno State Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan.
He urged the officers to familiarise themselves with the documents and align their reporting and content with the priorities, policies and objectives of the administration.
Iliya cautioned that as the 2027 General Elections approach, Information Officers must verify facts before publishing, counter misinformation and fake stories, and refrain from disseminating any content capable of undermining peace, security and social cohesion.
He expressed confidence that with the calibre and wealth of experience of the resource persons assembled for the workshop, the participants would be well equipped in conflict sensitive communication and information management.
The Special Adviser encouraged the participants to be attentive, engage actively in the sessions and derive maximum benefit from the programme, stressing that the outcomes would strengthen how Borno communicates with its people and the outside world during this critical stabilisation period.
He wished the participants a productive and rewarding workshop.
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