Abuja: Malam Mohammed Idris, on Monday urged government information and public relations officers and media, to work with security agencies in combating fake news, hate speech, and divisive narratives. Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, made the call in Abuja at the opening of a training workshop for Information and Public Relations Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Chinasa Ogbodo. The training was organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA) in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Information Chapel.
The minister highlighted that misinformation could weaken public trust while insecurity could erode freedom of expression. Both accurate information and security were deemed essential for peace and stability. He stressed the importance of uniting against fake news, hate speech, and divisive narratives, advocating for messages of peace, progress, and unity.
Idris commended the Federal Information Chapel of the NUJ for their professionalism in reporting the Nigerian story with accuracy and fairness, describing them as shepherds of perception and champions of truth. He also applauded the NCTC for its efforts in tackling terrorism and countering extremist propaganda, promising continued collaboration between his ministry and security agencies to protect both the minds and lives of citizens.
The National Coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, stressed the crucial role of public information officers in shaping narratives and managing public perception, particularly during national crises. The workshop was designed to enhance communication capabilities and foster collaboration across government institutions involved in national security. Laka noted that the theme, ‘Empowering the Messenger: Innovative Approaches to Public Information in the Face of Security Challenges,’ aligns with the NCTC’s broader goals of strengthening national resilience and countering extremist ideologies.
The Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, commended NCTC for its strategic communication efforts in national security. Baba-Ndace emphasized the need for journalists and information managers to uphold truth, reject fake news, and promote narratives fostering unity. He described security challenges as battles for hearts and minds, not just physical confrontations.
The Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Salihu Dambos, represented by the Director of News, Hajiya Halima Musa, underscored the importance of responsible, timely, and accurate reporting in countering extremist propaganda and building public confidence. He considered the workshop’s theme as a powerful call to action in addressing security challenges.
Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), represented by the Director of Communications and Media, Bala Musa, emphasized the critical timing of the training in an era where information travels rapidly. Issa-Onilu highlighted the importance of effectively communicating truth to counter misinformation and engaging citizens constructively, positioning public relations professionals at the front lines of national security.