The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening coordination among security agencies, government institutions, communities and citizens to promote peace, security and national development.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Thursday in Abuja when the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major-General Adeyinka Famadewa (rtd.), paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry.
Idris described the visit as an 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 government 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 said Nigeria’s security challenges could not be addressed through military action alone, stressing the need for closer collaboration among the armed forces, security agencies, governments at all levels, communities, the media and citizens.
“You cannot shoot yourself out of this problem. Security requires collaboration between the security agencies, the armed forces and the general public,” Idris said.
The minister also highlighted the role of the National Orientation Agency and other agencies under his ministry in strengthening community resilience, promoting responsible citizenship and ensuring that Nigerians receive accurate and timely information.
He identified fake news, misinformation and disinformation as emerging national security threats, calling for responsible communication and improved media and information literacy among citizens.
Famadewa said his visit was aimed at establishing a strong working relationship between his office and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation, describing information and public education as critical components of modern homeland security.
He said the Office of the Special Adviser would focus on unified intelligence and surveillance, stronger border security, improved identification of security threats, as well as effective protocols for reporting and responding to crises.
“Information is key in asymmetric warfare. The first person to speak wins, and we cannot sit back and allow others to shape perception for us,” Famadewa said.
Idris assured the Special Adviser of the Ministry’s full cooperation, saying stronger coordination, effective communication and active citizen participation were essential to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
Those who attended the meeting included the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Binyerem C. Ukaire; Special Assistant (Administration) to the Minister, Dr Sunday Baba; Director of Public Communication and National Orientation, Henshaw Ogubike; Director of Public Relations and Protocol, Dr Haruna Suleiman; Coordinator, Intelligence and Analysis, Major-General Emmanuel Ndagi (rtd.); Coordinator, Operations, Major-General Hassan Dada (rtd.); Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu; Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director-General of the News Agency of Nigeria, Ali Muhammad Ali; and other senior officials from the Office of the Special Adviser and the Ministry.
