The Kano State government on Thursday inaugurated an 18-member media and information policy drafting committee.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Umar Faruq-Ibrahim, at the inauguration, said the committee would ensure accurate dissemination of information in the state.
He said that the policy became necessary due to the concerns raised by members of the public over lack of regulation on the extent of information dissemination in the state.
Faruq-Ibrahim said that the decision to appoint the committee was intentional and goes back to the year 2023 in order to have a conscious approach to governance.
The SSG added that the transition committee recommended that key sectors of the society should be looked into where there are no policies to guide the administration.
“Already, policies in the electricity sector, solid minerals, women and economic empowerment, climate change, have been put in place and they have been approved by the State Executive Council.
“If this policy is put in place, especially now when everybody with a phone is a journalist and can just disseminate information, it will go a long way to ensure accurate information for the public.
“We have an interface with security agencies relating to non-compliance by certain government appointees and members of the public with regard to information dissemination.
“The picture they are giving us is alarming and so many members of the society have shown their concern why there is no regulation on the extent of information been disseminated,” Faruq-Ibrahim said.
He expressed confidence in the calibre of members of the committee and urged them to bring their wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of their duties.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, said the policy was not intended to gag the media but rather to sanitise it.
Waiya said the policy would enhance and strengthen the relationship between the government and the media practitioners in the state.
Mohammed Danyaro, co-chairman of the committee, assured that the confidence reposed on the committee would not be in vain.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the committee were drawn from the academia, media and other relevant sectors.
The committee include: the state Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya and Alhaji Mohammed Danyaro as the Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively.
Other members include Alhaji Ahmad Aminu, Malam Mukhtar Magaji, Malam Ado Saidu-Warawa, Malam Salisu Ibrahim-Fagge, Dr Abubakar Shehu-Minjibir, Dr Halima Kamilu, Hajiya Aishatu Sule and Dr Hassan Ya’u.
Others are: Alhaji Sunusi Bature, Malam Sulaiman Abdullahi-Dederi, Alhaji Bello Danmaisoro, Dr Saminu Rijiyar-Zaki and Aliyu Muhammad.
While Sani Abba Yola and Auwalu Sa’idu-Muazu were to serve as Secretary and Co-Secretary respectively.
