Monthly Media Briefings: A Necessary Duty of Local Government Chairmen

There is an urgent need for monthly media briefings by Local Government Chairmen, in Cross River State in particular, and in Nigeria, as a whole. The monthly media briefings should not take the form of grand announcements or self-congratulatory sessions. Rather, the media briefings should be a calm and consistent conversations with the people. At the level of government closest to daily life, communication should be simple, sincere, and steady. When local leaders speak regularly about their efforts and experiences, governance feels less distant and more dependable.

Undoubtedly, local government leadership should live close to the people’s everyday realities. It is the tier that meets the farmer in the field, the trader in the market, and the child in the classroom. In view of this grassroots proximity, Local Government Administration remains a crucial pathway to meaningful development. When leadership is this close, quiet openness becomes important. On the strength of this argument, monthly media briefings offer an opportunity to explain actions taken, progress made, difficulties encountered, and directions being considered, without exaggeration or excess.

Moreover, consistent briefings encourage a culture of responsibility. When Chairmen account for their performances and progress in a measured manner, they promote clarity and understanding. Development is no longer left to speculation. Communities are better informed about projects, priorities, and plans, and this shared knowledge helps to strengthen trust between leaders and the people they serve.

There is also value in the discipline such engagement brings. Knowing that there will be regular opportunities to speak to the public encourages thoughtful planning and careful implementation. Achievements are presented modestly, and shortcomings are acknowledged honestly. This balance helps governance remain focused on service rather than spectacle.

Also, openly discussing challenges is equally important. Local Governments often operate under financial, infrastructural, and administrative limitations. Speaking about these realities in a calm and respectful manner invites patience and partnership from the public. It allows citizens to better appreciate the complexities of governance and to support practical solutions where possible.

In Cross River State, many rural communities continue to seek steady improvement, particularly in healthcare and education. Primary health centres and public schools form the foundation of social development, yet they often face persistent challenges. Monthly media briefings provide a simple platform for Local Government Chairmen to highlight ongoing efforts, acknowledge gaps, and outline modest but meaningful steps toward improvement. Such honesty reassures communities that their needs are recognised and not ignored.

There is no doubt that transparency, when practiced with humility, also strengthens leadership. The political firmament remains bright for Local Government Chairmen and councillors who are open, accountable, and attentive to the people they serve. Leaders who communicate regularly and responsibly often earn respect through consistency rather than charisma.

Beyond immediate benefits, regular media engagement helps preserve continuity in governance. It records progress, explains decisions, and supports sustained development across administrations. This quiet documentation helps ensure that projects are improved upon rather than abandoned.

Local Government may be the smallest tier administratively, but it carries significant responsibility because of its closeness to the people. Monthly media briefings, approached with modesty and sincerity, can strengthen understanding, encourage accountability, and support gradual but genuine development. For communities across Cross River State, especially in rural areas, such steady communication may not promise instant change, but it can nurture trust and guide progress in practical, lasting ways.

Let our Chairmen of Local Government Councils ponder on this and act maybe, fast.

Anthony Ekpo Bassey, PhD, teaches Journalism at the University of Calabar.