MINISTRY OF INFORMATION HOSTS GOETHE INSTITUT
… Seeks Strategic Partnership, Promotion of German Language in Schools’ Curriculum
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr. Olumide Sogunle has harped on the need to foster continuous strategic partnerships through collaboration and cultural exchange initiatives with relevant stakeholders to further achieve the set goals of the Ministry while implementing the THEMES PLUS Agenda of the Lagos State Government.
He made the comment when he received the management of the Goethe Institut, a cultural organisation of the Germany Government in Lagos State on a courtesy visit to the Ministry on Tuesday.
Sogunle, while thanking the visiting delegation, highlighted the responsibilities of the various departments within the Ministry, adding that the importance of effective information dissemination cannot be over-emphasised.
The Permanent Secretary said, “The Ministry of Information and Strategy ensures information dissemination is achieved through its pool of Public Affairs Officers deployed to various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government”.
“Our Public Affairs Officers churn out news daily from their MDAs which we send out to various media organisations. We also promote the same on our various social media platforms and state-owned broadcast stations viz-a-viz Radio Lagos/Eko FM, Lagos Traffic Radio and Lagos Television as well as State publications, including Alausa Alert which is published monthly in English, Yoruba and Ogu languages”.
Sogunle further disclosed that the Ministry and her media agencies are prepared to collaborate with Goethe Institut to give robust media coverage of their events at discounted rates which will help promote the institute’s advocacy programmes going forward.
The Permanent Secretary also urged the visiting delegation to consider partnering with the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) which facilitates training of the Lagos State Public Service to enable a large number of Public Affairs Officers and Civil Servants in general, benefit from their training initiatives.
Earlier in her remarks, the Country Director, Goethe Institut, Dr. Nadine Siegert, who led the visiting delegation, explained that the Institut seeks to partner with the Ministry of Information and Strategy to explore ways to teach the German Language in schools as well as offer classes to Public Affairs Officers who are interested in learning the German Language.
She added that by the end of the year, the Institut will take a new shape, with a new library and space which will be equipped for coding, podcasting and digital innovations such as AI technology to mention a few.
“In doing this, we wish our space would be well-known to many Nigerians and hope the Ministry can help us project this to the outer world through a strategic collaboration”, Siegert added.
On her part, the Head of Language and Exams, Goethe Institut, Ms.
Anuoluwapo Oloke noted that the Institut hopes to work with the Ministries of Information and Strategy, and Education as they intend to have partner schools to work with.
She also revealed that the Institut’s Super Intensive Language Course will start in August which Public Affairs Officers can benefit from.
In his remarks, the Director of Features Unit and Editor of Alausa Alert, Mr. Tayo Ogunbiyi advised the management of the Institution to teach the German Language to students from a tender age as this will enable efficiency and enhance individuals’ ability to navigate unfamiliar environments with confidence.
Other management staff of the Ministry present during the courtesy visit include the Director of Public Enlightenment and Community Relations, Mr. Goke Folayan; Director, Strategy Centre, Mr Kayode Oyekanmi; Director of Information Production, Mrs. Funmi Adesanya; Director of Social Media, Dr. Jide Atansuyi; Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Adesegun Ogundeji and Head Planning Unit, Mrs. Yetunde Odumosu.