Reconstructing our Mentality for Efficiency during Crisis: An Analysis of the Role Expected of Local Government Information Officers


Keyword : Issues .Conflict .Crisis management .Information officers


Author(s) : Raphael Olugbenga Abimbola

Abstract :   

Crisis is a product of unresolved conflicts and conflicts are the resultant effects of unresolved issues. Issues and conflicts abound in the day to day activities of any human endeavour. In other words, no human interaction can be devoid of conflicts as they (conflicts) themselves are healthy for organisations. However, when allowed to degenerate, conflicts lead to crisis and not all crisis situations are healthy in human endeavours. At the local government level, information officers are supposed to be image makers and information managers. Regrettably, not many of them are allowed to perform their role with all authority at the council level. However, whenever crisis erupts, they are often looked upon to perform magic in dealing with the public by their chief executives. This paper, therefore examines the role of information officers in crisis management at the council level. It reminds them that they are foremost public relations and information managers as against the civil servant mentality they carry. It also discusses the levels/stages in crisis and the skills required of the information officers in handling crisis situations as well as media selections and how to earn journalists respect. It concludes that information officers must be part of the decision making process in information generation and dissemination, and media relations in order to exhibit their skills of relationship building and goodwill.

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