I bring you warm greetings from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, and I welcome you all most sincerely to this very important national dialogue, which I consider an important milestone in our collective effort to build a more peaceful, more secure, and more united Nigeria.
Today, we stand at the confluence of purpose and possibility. Under the theme “Renewed Hope Agenda: Citizen Engagement and National Security,” this high-level forum is more than a policy conversation. It is a call to action.
It is a space the Voice of Nigeria has deliberately initiated for open dialogue, collaboration, and strategic reflection. A platform where policy voices and the voice of the ordinary Nigerian can harmonize into a national chorus of unity, understanding, and resilience.
I am delighted at the patriotic initiative by the leadership of Voice of Nigeria (VON) in organising this timely engagement, which is very much in line with the founding vision and mission of the institution, over sixty years ago. As Nigeria’s gateway radio platform, VON is not just broadcasting news, but shaping narratives and forging a compelling national identity.
In a world increasingly defined by disinformation, polarization, and digital fragmentation, VON is embracing a renewed mandate to amplify the Nigerian voice by localizing global content in bringing the world closer to our people in a language that resonates locally within their shared global experiences. VON is also internationalising the Nigerian experience by projecting our stories, values, achievements, and aspirations to the world with clarity, consistency, and pride.
In the emerging repositioning of Nigeria’s public news institutions under my Ministry, it is no longer just about transmission. It is about transformation, supported by technology. It is about ensuring that, whether in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, or English, from Berlin to Benin City to Birnin Kebbi, the voice of Nigeria is heard, respected, and trusted, echoing authoritatively from within a united people and secured territory.
Ladies and gentlemen, there can be no enduring national security without the people at its core. That is the nexus between citizens and national security. Every effort aimed at achieving national security must necessarily focus on the Nigerian people. When national security is breached, it is people who are responsible. And when national security is assured, it is also people who benefit, who are able to go about their daily lives and businesses without fear.
In reflecting upon the theme of citizen engagement that is at the heart of this inaugural forum, there is a clear message that as government we must continue to prioritise connecting with the Nigerian people, talking with them, not ‘at’ them, ensuring that they are carried along every step of the way on this vital journey of democracy.
But that is not all. Citizens must themselves seek to wholly engage with government, must pay attention to government policies and programmes, and the many wonderful opportunities arising from these programmes.
It is in this spirit of elevating citizens to the core of the national security conversation, of two-way engagement, that this forum has been convened—bringing together government, media, civil society, and the security community, not in silos, but in synergy. Not to talk at each other, but to listen to each other. It is only when all voices are at the table that we can build a nation where every citizen is invested in peace, justice, and national harmony.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, just last week, we commemorated the second anniversary of the Tinubu Administration, with ample proof of its monumental positive impact, creating room for prosperity and progress. Indeed, no government has ever achieved what the Tinubu administration has achieved in two years:
First, the courage to vanquish the monster of oil subsidy and the forex racket, and then massive road infrastructure, an unprecedented students’ loans scheme, the Consumer Credit Corporation, the Presidential CNG initiative, the Tax Reform Bills, and many more. All of these policies and interventions that are reviving confidence in our young population; and under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the voices are audibly uniting in further support of a man of vision and courage.
After a stormy start, food prices are falling, even as we are stemming the tide of insecurity, while the impact of governance is, for the first time in decades, making a new headway through the local government autonomy, the establishment of regional development commissions for every part of the country, and the creation of a Ministry to oversee them. In agriculture, we have creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, to unlock hitherto ignored potential in Nigerian agriculture.
In conclusion, I salute the leadership of Voice of Nigeria and all our partners for convening this important forum. To every stakeholder here today, thank you for your presence, your voice, and your vision.
I encourage us to leave here with more than ideas. Let us leave with commitment. A renewed commitment to truth in our media, institutions, to equity in our policies, to transparency in our governance, and to compassion in our communities.
By so doing, together, we will build a stronger, safer, and more united Nigeria.
I thank you for your kind attention.
Mohammed Idris, fnipr
Minister of Information and National Orientation
Abuja, Nigeria
June 3, 2025
