Gombe gov orders full implementation of minimum wage for LG workers

Security forces in Kano State have launched a manhunt for suspected armed bandits following the abduction of four persons in Karaye Local Government Area of […]

Segun Showunmi, former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has opined that poor communication skills hampers on the image and credibility of the government.

He therefore called for an in depth professional communication training to enable representatives enhance their ability to convey messages effectively, manage crises, and promote transparency.

Showunmi explained that by improving communication skills, government officials can better articulate policies, address public concerns, and foster a positive image.

His advice stemmed from the controversy generated by a recent live broadcast interview between presidential aide Daniel Bwala and international journalist Mehdi Hasan.

The PDP Chieftain and Convener of the Alternative on Saturday, in a commentary titled,”When Spokespersons Falter: Lessons in Strategic Communication. The Bwala/Mehdi meltdown,” opined that as a spokesperson, every word, tone, gesture, and response becomes part of the narrative

that both domestic and foreign audiences use to evaluate a government.

He said, ”Recent interview performances by presidential representatives have reignited an important conversation about the professional standards required for spokespersons in the modern media environment. Confronting seasoned international interviewers such as Mehdi Hassan is not merely a media appearance; it is a high-stakes exercise in narrative management.

“Effective spokespersons are rarely accidental performers. Communication scholars often reference the “10,000-hour rule,” popularized by Malcolm Gladwell, to illustrate the level of sustained practice required to achieve mastery in complex professions. Professional spokespersons understand how to redirect hostile or loaded questions without appearing evasive.

“They rely on structured communication frameworks often summarized as a “4+1” approach: four supporting points anchored by one central message that consistently returns the conversation to the principal’s policy priorities.”

He maintained that discipline is a hallmark of professionalism, stating that communicators resist the temptation to speak for the applause of a narrow political audience.

“Equally important is situational awareness. Every media platform has a “house style,” every interviewer a known method of questioning, and every audience an expectation of tone. Preparation therefore involves understanding the adversarial dynamics of the interview environment, anticipating lines of attack, and crafting responses that maintain composure while advancing the government’s narrative.

“The craft also involves non-verbal communication. Tone of voice, pitch, cadence, posture, and controlled gestures are not cosmetic features; they are tools that reinforce credibility. Audiences often evaluate confidence and authority through these signals even before processing the substance of a response.

“For governments, the broader lesson is institutional rather than personal. Strategic communication should be treated as a professional discipline requiring training, mentorship, and continuous preparation. Many successful administrations invest heavily in communication war rooms, message simulation exercises, and spokesperson coaching to ensure that representatives are fully prepared for hostile interviews.

“In an era where a single media appearance can circulate globally within minutes, spokesperson performance is no longer a minor detail of governance. It is part of statecraft,” he added.

Bwala/Mehdi interview: Poor communication skills hamper govt’s image, credibility – Showunmi

A chieftain of the Adamawa All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdulrahman Haske, has condemned, in the strongest terms, the terrorist attack on Garaha District in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

He described it as an attack not just on a community, but on the stability and future of the entire Northeast.

The attack, carried out by suspected Boko Haram insurgents on Garaha District on Saturday, February 22, 2026, reportedly left three people dead and resulted in the burning of military and school facilities in the village.

In a press statement signed by his publicity secretary, Abdulgaffar Ahmed, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Haske said the killing of soldiers and a civilian woman, along with the destruction of a school and other facilities, was a painful tragedy and a reminder that enemies of progress still seek to destabilise the Northeast.

He, however, praised the bravery of Nigerian troops who defended the community, noting that their sacrifice reflects the spirit of service and patriotism that keeps Nigeria united.

“The APC remains committed to protecting lives, strengthening security, and rebuilding affected communities as part of its broader vision of peace, stability, and inclusive development,” he was quoted as saying in the release.

He commended the security coordination and reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, stating that improved synergy among security agencies was strengthening the fight against insurgency across the Northeast.

According to him, the APC-led government’s Renewed Hope Agenda prioritises security, rural development, infrastructure, youth empowerment, and economic opportunities, all of which are essential to defeating extremism and restoring lasting peace.

Speaking directly to grassroots communities across Hong, Gombi, Song, Mubi, Michika, Madagali, and other frontline areas, Haske urged residents to remain calm, vigilant, protect one another, and promptly report suspicious movements to law enforcement agencies and community leaders.

“Terrorism succeeds only where communities are divided, but fails where people stand united, share information, and defend their neighborhoods together. Hence, I call on our traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, hunters, vigilante networks, and civil society organisations to strengthen grassroots security cooperation and awareness, and enhance community watch efforts to prevent criminal infiltration,” Haske said.

He reaffirmed that the people of Adamawa are resilient, peace-loving, and united, and will never surrender their communities to fear, violence, or intimidation, assuring that the APC stands firmly with the people of Adamawa, as in other states, and is “committed to reconstruction, social protection, and development initiatives that restore livelihoods and strengthen community resilience.”

Haske further urged unity beyond ethnic, religious, or political lines, emphasizing that protecting lives, preserving peace, and securing the future of Adamawa State must remain a shared responsibility.

Adamawa terrorist attack painful tragedy, injury to Northeast stability – Haske