FG Seeks Stronger Security Coordination For Peace, National Development

The Federal Government has called for stronger coordination among security agencies, government institutions, communities and citizens to tackle Nigeria’s security challenges and promote national development.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made the call 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 said the engagement provided an opportunity to deepen understanding of the mandate of the newly established Office of the Special Adviser on Homeland Security and strengthen collaboration in communicating the Federal Government’s security policies and initiatives.

“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 resolved through military action alone, noting that effective security required collaboration among the armed forces, security agencies, government 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 grassroots reach of the National Orientation Agency and other agencies under the Ministry, saying they had important roles to play in building community resilience, promoting responsible citizenship and ensuring that Nigerians received accurate and timely information.

Idris identified fake news, misinformation and disinformation as emerging national security threats, stressing the need for responsible communication and improved media and information literacy.

In his remarks, Famadewa said his visit was aimed at establishing a strong working relationship with the Ministry, 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 would contribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

The meeting was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Binyerem C. Ukaire; Special Assistant (Administration) to the Minister, Dr Sunday Baba; Director, 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, National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu; Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; Director-General, Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director-General, News Agency of Nigeria, Ali Muhammad Ali; and other senior officials.