The Lagos State government has unfolded plans to occupy social media
with increased content on governments’ policies and programmes through
its well-positioned social media platforms by engaging the online
audience in advocacy and public enlightenment.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Kehinde
Bamigbetan, who stated this on Monday while kick-starting the annual
Ministerial Press Briefing of the State government held at Bagauda
Kaltho Press Centre, Alausa, also said that with increased uploading of
content on its social media, followership is expected to rise to two
million by the end of this year.
The Commissioner announced the general increase in followership on
all government social media platforms, attributing the increase to
improved uploading of content in terms of short videos, infographics,
Facebook and Instagram live videos. According to him, the LASG Facebook
account now has over 296,000 followers, making an increment of 14% from
the initial 259,147 followers as at April 2017; the total number of
posts on the Instagram platform is now 2,127 with a total of 16,500
followers resulting in over 1,000% increment from the initial 857
Followers as at same period last year while the twitter account now has
over 173,264 followers resulting in 47% increment from the initial
117,782 followers as at April 2017.
Bamigbetan further disclosed that several reforms are going on to
reposition the State-owned media houses to make them rank among equals.
The Commissioner told journalists that the Ambode administration has
intervened strategically by fast-tracking the acquisition of the
state-of-the-art equipment for Lagos Television, Radio Lagos and Eko FM
to enable the stations to compete favourably in the industry and boost
revenue generation. He said: “Considering the need to propagate the
perspective and activities of the State government for public
enlightenment and patronage of citizens, LTV, which historically is the
first State television station in Nigeria, has received tremendous
public expenditure to be more competitive and efficient.”
He reiterated that a new digital studio and new transmitters to
improve the signal strength, quality and outreach were among equipment
installed at the Lagos State Radio Service while the guest rooms,
corridors, reception area and the entire ground floor were renovated as
part of on-going efforts to make the work atmosphere more conducive and
comfortable. Bamigbetan further disclosed that Lagos State Printing
Corporation (LSPC) is currently in a new phase of development following
the installation of the newly purchased digital machine, adding that
the Ambode administration is determined to ensure that the Corporation
does not return to the unprofitable era.
In his words, “A final decision on the structure management for the
Corporation as recommended by a project management audit and reviewed by
a three-man Committee comprising the Commissioners of Information &
Strategy, Finance and Establishment, Training and Pensions to ensure
the emergence of a competitive, profitable and efficiently run printing
business will be taken in due course”.
Following the recommendation, the Commissioner said the Corporation
has been directed to set up a vibrant marketing unit to compete with the
private sector for jobs while the Governor has issued a directive
asking all MDAs to patronize the Corporation, particularly for large
orders.
The Commissioner pledged that the Ministry will continue to keep the
populace informed by generating and deploying persuasive content to
explain the inherent values of government policies across the various
channels of communication, while also monitoring feedback that could
guide re-packaging of governments' policies and programmes in order to
be constantly in tune with the temperament and expectations of the
various publics.