ASABA/Nigeria: Government communication officers in Delta State have been urged to put the lessons from the seventh Delta State Strategic Communication Workshop, DELCOM 2026, into practice, particularly in the areas of digital engagement, crisis response and public trust.
The charge came from the Communication Manager, Government House, Asaba, Mr. Jackson Ekwugum, who spoke at the close of the three-day workshop in Asaba on Thursday.
Ekwugum said the training had exposed participants to communication tools and strategies relevant to the demands of an increasingly digital public environment, urging them to ensure that the knowledge gained translates into better performance within their respective Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He said the real measure of any capacity-building programme was not the number of people trained but how effectively the knowledge acquired was applied to improve service delivery and communication with the public.
According to him, government communicators now operate in an environment where information moves rapidly across digital platforms, making accuracy, speed, verification and strategic engagement increasingly important.
He urged participants to use digital platforms beyond routine information dissemination, saying they should also serve as tools for managing crises, addressing misinformation, explaining government policies and programmes, and maintaining institutional credibility.
Ekwugum also reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to developing the capacity of its workforce, describing a professionally equipped public service as essential to effective administration and efficient service delivery.
He commended the Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, for sustaining DELCOM over the past seven years and helping the programme evolve into what he described as a bigger and better platform for professional development.
The Communication Manager also credited Governor Sheriff Oborevwori with supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening human capital and improving the capacity of public servants to contribute effectively to governance.
Held from Tuesday, August 18, to Thursday, August 20, 2026, DELCOM 2026 brought together government communication personnel and other stakeholders for discussions on the changing nature of public communication and its implications for governance.
The workshop, organised by the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, was built around the theme, “Digital Communication and Crisis Management: Building Trust and Credibility for Democratic Governance.”
Discussions during the programme examined digital communication, crisis management, media relations, reputation management and emerging technologies, with particular attention to the growing influence of social media, citizen journalism and artificial intelligence on public discourse.
Participants were encouraged to recognise that the speed of digital communication comes with a corresponding responsibility to verify information before publication. Speakers noted that while accurate information could reach large audiences within minutes, unverified claims and misinformation could spread just as rapidly.
Crisis communication also featured prominently, with emphasis placed on the need for government institutions to prepare communication procedures before emergencies occur. Participants were advised to identify authorised spokespersons, establish clear channels for verifying information and improve coordination among MDAs to prevent conflicting messages during sensitive situations.
The sessions further examined the relationship between strategic communication and public confidence, with speakers stressing that credibility cannot be sustained through publicity alone.
They argued that effective government communication should help citizens understand policies and programmes, provide timely explanations, respond to legitimate concerns, correct false information and create opportunities for meaningful engagement between institutions and the people they serve.
The workshop also highlighted the expanding responsibilities of government communicators, who must now combine traditional media skills with an understanding of digital platforms, audience behaviour, emerging media trends, crisis management and strategic message development.
Professional ethics and verification were equally emphasised, particularly in an environment where the pressure to publish quickly can sometimes compete with the obligation to provide accurate and responsible information.
Reflecting on DELCOM’s seven-year history, Ekwugum said the continuity of the programme demonstrated the importance the state government attached to professional development and capacity building.
He urged participants to share useful lessons with their colleagues and incorporate the skills acquired into their daily assignments.
He said the lasting impact of DELCOM 2026 would ultimately be determined by whether participants returned to their workplaces better equipped to communicate government policies, manage crises, engage citizens and contribute to stronger public confidence in government institutions.
