A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and Convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has called for stronger investment in professional communication training for government spokespersons following the controversy generated by a recent live broadcast interview between presidential aide Daniel Bwala and international journalist Mehdi Hasan.
The interview, which has since circulated widely on social media, has sparked debates among political observers and communication experts over the standards expected of government representatives during high-profile international media engagements.
Reacting to the development in a statement made available to journalists, Showunmi said Nigeria would benefit significantly from strengthening the professional capacity of those tasked with speaking on behalf of public institutions.
He noted that the performance of spokespersons during international interviews plays a major role in shaping global perception about a country’s leadership and policies.
Showunmi said, “Nigeria, like many democracies, would benefit from a deeper investment in professional communication training for those tasked with representing public institutions.
Doing so strengthens not only the credibility of individual leaders but also the country’s voice on the global stage.”
The PDP chieftain explained that public communication at the highest level of government is a demanding responsibility that requires preparation, experience and discipline.
According to him, spokespersons occupy a sensitive position in governance because they operate at the intersection of policy explanation, public perception and national reputation.
He said every word, tone and response delivered during a media interview contributes to how governments are judged by both domestic and international audiences.
Showunmi added that appearances on platforms hosted by experienced interviewers such as Hasan should not be treated as routine engagements but as strategic opportunities to communicate government policies effectively.
He said, “Competence in this field is rarely a matter of instinct. It is the result of preparation, experience and respect for the demanding craft of strategic communication.”
The PDP chieftain further noted that effective spokespersons usually possess years of experience in areas such as campaign messaging, media briefings, crisis communication and policy interpretation.
He also stressed the need for spokespersons to maintain message discipline and composure during difficult interviews, noting that experienced communicators are trained to redirect hostile or loaded questions towards the central message of the government they represent.
Showunmi added that many successful governments around the world invest heavily in communication training, simulation exercises and professional coaching to prepare their spokespersons for high-pressure interviews.
He warned that in an era where a single media appearance can go viral globally within minutes, the performance of government representatives during live broadcasts has become an important component of modern governance.
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