In a drive to improve public service delivery and promote inclusive governance, a three-day capacity-building workshop was held for staff of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Katsina State.
The workshop, titled "Strengthening MDAs for Effective Governance for Development (G4D)", was hosted at Murjani Hotel and drew participants from across the state’s public sector.
Focusing on Communication, Data, and Governance Tools
The workshop provided a practical platform for engaging participants on core themes including:
- Public engagement
- Strategic communication
- Data collection and use
- Digital literacy for governance
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Mustapha Shehu, Executive Secretary of Katsina State Development Management Board, noted that the objective was to equip government workers with modern tools to improve service delivery and deepen citizen participation in governance.
He emphasized that better communication and transparency would allow citizens to not only understand government activities but also offer feedback, make complaints, and contribute ideas.
Insightful Papers by Ahmed Abdulkadir
Two impactful papers were delivered by Ahmed Abdulkadir, the Board Chairman, Katsina State Radio and Television Services. His sessions provided both theory and practical examples relevant to the Nigerian context.
1. Public Engagement and Strategic Communication in Governance
This session focused on:
- Building public trust
- Crisis communication and perception management
- Communicating government policies and results
- Stakeholder engagement, especially marginalized groups
Participants learned how deliberate and planned communication can improve transparency and citizen trust in government.
2. Understanding Public Communication in Governance: Concepts, Tools, and Channels
In this session, participants explored:
- Audience segmentation
- Use of tools like radio, SMS, community forums, and social media
- Developing effective, tailored public messages
- Monitoring public feedback to inform policy and service delivery
Real-life examples from Katsina and other local contexts made the lectures highly relatable.
Other Sessions and Experts
The workshop also featured training sessions by leading professionals:
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Dr. Bashir Kurfi led a session on Strategic Communication Planning, guiding participants on designing and managing public messaging within governance processes.
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Dr. Aminu Aminu Mu’azu from Umaru Musa Yar’adua University presented on GovTech and E-Governance Tools, including live demonstrations on how digital systems can enhance transparency and efficiency.
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Dr. Suleiman Bello, a data science lecturer and analyst, emphasized the role of data-driven governance and introduced practical tools for collecting and analyzing public service data.
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Yusuf Umar Usman, a field digital strategist, spoke on Digital Fluency for Government Workers, with emphasis on how to use social media responsibly for public engagement and institutional visibility.
Perspectives from Special Guests
Two special guests of honour offered valuable insights:
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Professor Saifullahi Sani Matazu, Katsina State Statistician General, stressed the role of data and statistics as foundational for development planning and policy execution.
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Lawal Attahiru Bakori, General Manager of Katsina State Radio, called for stronger collaboration between government officials and media practitioners. He emphasized that strategic public communication is essential in helping citizens understand, trust, and engage with government initiatives.
A Collective Commitment to Better Governance
At the end of the workshop, participants expressed gratitude for the training and pledged to apply the new strategies and tools in their daily responsibilities.
The Governance for Development (G4D) initiative continues to create platforms like this to build the capacity of public servants in Katsina and support the delivery of transparent, responsive, and accountable governance.