Labour Ministry pledges stronger collaboration, improved information sharing and support for professional development in the media sector.
Chioma Vivian James
The Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called for a stronger and more structured partnership with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to enhance labour reporting, improve journalists’ welfare, and deepen public awareness of the Ministry’s programmes and interventions.
The appeal was made during a courtesy visit by the Chairman of the Chapel, Comrade Felix Ojo, who led members of the executive and representatives of the Chapel to the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja. The delegation was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Kamil Ayinde Shoretire, alongside directors and other senior officials.
Welcoming the journalists, Dr. Shoretire described the media as an indispensable stakeholder in promoting transparency, accountability and public understanding of government policies. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to maintaining an open-door relationship with journalists and ensuring that accurate and timely information reaches the public.
“We are partners in progress, and we look forward to strengthening this partnership even further,” the Permanent Secretary stated. “The Ministry will continue to provide the right, appropriate and factual information to Nigerians regarding our programmes, policies and activities.”
He emphasized that the Ministry’s mandate extends far beyond the resolution of industrial disputes, noting that it plays a central role in labour policy formulation, promotion of industrial harmony, workplace inspections, enforcement of labour laws and international labour conventions, occupational safety and health regulation, as well as mediation and resolution of labour-related grievances.
Dr. Shoretire also cautioned against the growing spread of misinformation, particularly through social media platforms, urging journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism by verifying facts before publication.
“The rise of social media has made it easier for unverified information to circulate as facts. We are accessible and willing to provide clarification whenever necessary. Journalists should engage us directly to obtain accurate information,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the Chapel, Comrade Ojo explained that the visit was designed to strengthen institutional cooperation and encourage more comprehensive coverage of labour and employment issues in Nigeria.
According to him, media reports on the Ministry often focus primarily on industrial conflicts and labour disputes, leaving many of its developmental programmes and policy interventions largely underreported.
“From the insights shared today, it is evident that the Ministry is engaged in a wide range of impactful activities. We want to collaborate more closely in order to highlight these initiatives and broaden public understanding of the Ministry’s contributions beyond conflict-related stories,” Ojo noted.
The NUJ Chairman further appealed for support in the areas of capacity building, professional development and welfare enhancement for journalists. He stressed that regular training programmes and institutional partnerships would not only improve journalists’ productivity but also strengthen the quality of labour and employment reporting across the country.
Ojo additionally sought the Ministry’s support in addressing issues affecting media practitioners, particularly concerns surrounding journalists’ safety, harassment and unlawful arrests while carrying out their professional duties.
Adding his voice, Secretary of the Chapel’s Cooperative and Investment Committee, Mr. Raymond Nyayoti, appealed for assistance in facilitating partnerships with relevant government agencies, including the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), to strengthen the Chapel’s cooperative society and improve members’ economic wellbeing.
“We are not requesting direct financial assistance,” Nyayoti clarified. “Our objective is to establish partnerships with institutions that can provide support, capacity development and opportunities that will strengthen our cooperative and enhance the welfare of our members.”
Responding to the requests, Dr. Shoretire assured the delegation that the Ministry would carefully consider areas of collaboration within its statutory responsibilities. As part of efforts to institutionalize communication between both bodies, he directed the Head of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Annah Daniel, to serve as the focal liaison officer between the Ministry and the Correspondents’ Chapel.
The liaison arrangement, he explained, would facilitate regular information exchange, improve access to official information, and identify practical avenues through which the Ministry could engage with and support journalists on issues of mutual interest.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both the Ministry and the Correspondents’ Chapel reaffirming their commitment to fostering a productive partnership anchored on transparency, responsible journalism, professional development and improved public understanding of labour and employment issues in Nigeria.
The engagement is widely viewed as a significant step toward strengthening relations between the media and government institutions, while creating new opportunities for informed labour reporting, journalist empowerment and effective dissemination of policies that impact workers and employers across the country.
