Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has called on his media aides to remain disciplined, professional and measured in their online activities as political campaigns begin to build momentum across the state.
He gave the advice during a one-day review and media training session at the Government House Banquet Hall in Yenagoa, themed *“Public Governance, Political Engagements and the Media: The Nexus.”
The programme focused on refining the government’s communication strategy and reinforcing ethical standards.
Representing the governor, the Secretary to the State Government, Nimibofa Ayawei, praised the team for effectively projecting government initiatives but raised concerns over growing tensions on social media, often fuelled by political interests.
He urged the aides to stay composed and prioritise accurate public communication, warning that engaging in heated exchanges could escalate political divisions within the state.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Ebiuwou Obiyai, stressed the importance of unity and adherence to official communication channels.
She directed aides to obtain clearance before publishing sensitive materials and cautioned against unauthorised posts, noting that violations could attract disciplinary action.
The training sessions featured contributions from media professionals, including Klem Ofuokwu, who spoke on managing government communication in a politically sensitive climate, and Richard Ogbe, who addressed legal and ethical considerations in digital publishing.
At the close of the session, the media team reiterated its support for the governor’s development agenda and expressed confidence in the leadership of the Director-General of New Media, Samuel Kolawole Oredipe, commending his role in steering the team through the evolving media space.
