UBEC TRAINS PUBLIC RELATION OFFICERS FOR IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

By Uchino Amatey

The Universal Basic Education Commission, (UBEC) has recently concluded a 2-day training for Public relations and protocol officers of UBEC and State Universal Basic Education Boards, (SUBEBs) for enhanced service delivery.

the training which held in Kaduna with the theme, "Retooling UBE Strategies for Improved Productivity and Stakeholders Engagement", had participants from 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).

In his address, the Executive Secretary, UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, said that improving the visibility of UBE activities would attract goodwill of relevant stakeholders.

Bobboyi, who was represented by UBEC North-West Zonal Director, Alhaji Hassan Umar, said that the training was designed to improve the capacity of the officers to adequately project activities of UBEC and SUBEBs.

In his words "We are mindful of the enormous responsibilities placed on the Public Relations and Protocol units, therefore, want to ensure that the officers handling these onerous tasks are well equipped to discharge their responsibilities effectively."

According to him, the training becomes necessary in view of the dearth of information on the true picture of federal and states governments' efforts in curbing illiteracy in the country.

"Government through the UBE has remained consistent in deploying the necessary political will and resources toward ensuring unhindered access to free and compulsory education across the nation. In spite of government's efforts, little is known by the general public regarding the various interventions that are geared towards improving the lot of the Nigerian child. Our expectation is that, at the end of the training, there will be free flow of information as well as increase goodwill that will accrue to the basic education sub-sector," he said.

The Executive Chairman, Kaduna SUBEB, Malam Nasiru Umar, described the training as apt in ensuring that the public was well-informed about the activities, achievements and challenges of UBE.

Umar noted that not much would be achieved if members of the public were not carried along in the implementation of projects and programmes designed to deliver quality basic education in Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, Head of Public Relations at UBEC, Mr Ossom Ossom, said that the training would enhance professionalism and best practices in reporting UBEC and SUBEB activities.

Responding on behalf of the participants, Malam Aminu Ibrahim, PRO, Kaduna SUBEB, lauded the commission for organising the training, adding that it would create room for sharing experience on best practices and enhance free flow of information among States.

The event also featured recognitions, presentations of certificates, tour visit to Kajuru castle by participants.