Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening coordination among security agencies, government institutions, communities and citizens to promote peace, security and national development. This was contained in a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, mnipr, Special Assistant on Media to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation.
The Minister stated this on Thursday when the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major-General Adeyinka Famadewa (Rtd.), paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry in Abuja.
Idris welcomed the visit, describing the engagement as an important opportunity to deepen understanding of the mandate of the newly established Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security and strengthen collaboration in communicating security policies and initiatives to Nigerians.
“Peace and security are essential elements; in fact, they are the building blocks of any development that can happen anywhere,” the Minister said.
He stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges could not be addressed through military action alone, but required closer collaboration among the armed forces, security agencies, government at all levels, communities, the media and the general public.
“You can not shoot yourself out of this problem. Security requires collaboration between the security agencies, the armed forces, and the general public,” Idris said.
The Minister highlighted the grassroots reach of the National Orientation Agency and other agencies under the Ministry, noting their important role in strengthening community resilience, promoting responsible citizenship, and ensuring that citizens receive accurate and timely information.
He also identified fake news, misinformation, and disinformation as emerging national security challenges, stressing the need for responsible communication and greater media and information literacy.
The Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major-General Adeyinka Famadewa (Rtd.), said the visit was aimed at building a strong working relationship with the Ministry, describing information and public education as critical components of modern homeland security. He said the office would focus on unified intelligence and surveillance, stronger border security, improved identification of security threats, and effective protocols for reporting and responding to crises.
“Information is key in asymmetric warfare. The first person to speak wins, and we can not sit back and allow others to shape perception for us,” Famadewa said.
The Minister assured the Special Adviser of the Ministry’s full cooperation, saying stronger coordination, effective communication and active citizen participation would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
Those in attendance included the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; Special Assistant (Administration) to the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Sunday Baba; Director, Public Communication and National Orientation, Henshaw Ogubike; Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Haruna Suleiman; Coordinator Intelligence & Analysis, Major General, Emmanuel Ndagi (Rtd); Coordinator, Operations, Major General, Hassan Dada (Rtd); Director General, National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu; Director General, Nigerian Television Authority, Comrade Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director-General, News Agency of Nigeria, Ali Muhammad Ali; and other senior officials from the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
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