September 22, (THEWILL) — The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has charged Public Relations Officers (PROs) of the Service to master the techniques of combating disinformation and entrench transparency as a standard practice.
Adeniyi made the call in Kano on Monday while declaring open a workshop for PROs from commands across the country, themed: “Beyond Masters of Ceremonies: The Strategic Role of Public Relations Officers for Institutional Growth and Stakeholders’ Trust.”
Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Operations and Enforcement, Timi Bomodi, the Customs boss said the Service was modernising operations, automating processes, and aligning with global best practices.
“These reforms, however, cannot be sustained without trust. Trust is built not only by enforcing laws, but also by communicating clearly, consistently, and readily,” he said.
Adeniyi stressed that the role of PROs goes beyond ceremonial duties, noting that they must be equipped to communicate policy objectives, explain the rationale behind actions, and listen actively to stakeholders’ concerns.
“In today’s interconnected world, where a single message can go viral in minutes, our PROs must master digital platforms. They must also learn how to combat disinformation and promote transparency as a standard practice,” he added.
Acknowledging the challenges of the role, he said PROs would often face crises that test their judgement, criticism that questions their integrity, and moments where silence may seem safer than speaking.
He described the workshop as timely and forward-looking, saying it was designed to challenge the traditional perception of PROs as mere announcers, moderators, or event managers.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
