From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
As the Kaduna State governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani shops for Media Adviser ahead of May 29 swearing in ceremony, a stakeholder in the media industry has tasked him on the qualities his Media Adviser must posses to be effective on the job.
This was even as Senator Uba Sani who was elected governor of the State in March 18 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has continued to assure that he will run a media friendly government as soon as he takes over affairs of the State.
However, a Veteran Journalist, Mr. John Fwah has bared his mind on qualities the Media Adviser to the new governor must posses to hit the ground running.
Mr. Fwah who had put in almost 50 years in journalism practice said Uba Sani’s Media Aide must appreciate the vital role of the media in the nation building and make maximum and effective use of it.
Reacting to questions by newsmen on what advice he has for the media department of the incoming government, considering his towering experience in the industry, the Veteran Journalist said Uba Sani’s Spin doctor must be friendly and open minded to all arms of the media, including the social media for effective performance.
Mr. Fwah also added that the media adviser must be one who is educationally and professionally qualified as well as command personality and possess good manners on public relations in order to bring the governor closer to the people in ensuring good governance.
“The Media world has taken flight just as any other profession vis-a-vis technology with its high level competition among practitioners as well as the emergence of online publishing and social media.
“Following the development in this all important aspect the media adviser must be one who is educationally and professionally qualified, in addition to the above, he must command personality and possess good manners on public relations.
“The adviser must be one who is a good mixer not only with colleagues but also government and political appointees. In other words he must operate open door policy as well as open mind to accommodate all shades of individual opinions and other commentaries.
“The Adviser should be reminded that politics is over and it’s time for governance therefore the government should carry every one along for the development and progress of the state.
“He Must appreciate the vital role of the media in the nation building and make maximum and effective use of it. His performance determines his progress in the scheme of things especially with the present digital age. Above all he must be friendly and avoid favouritism in case of welfarism.
“One very important aspect to make his job simple and easy is that he should carry the media, print, electronic and social media along. He must avoid the banana peel of selective treatment because they can make or mar. So as image maker of his principal he must operate and cooperate with all and sundry, therefore must not hoard information even as he will be ready to do damage control”. Mr. Fwah said.