By Gabriel Ameh
ABUJA — The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening coordination among security agencies, government institutions, communities and citizens as part of efforts to promote peace, national security and sustainable 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 engagement as an important opportunity to deepen collaboration between the Ministry and the newly established Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, particularly in communicating security policies and initiatives to Nigerians.
The Minister stressed that peace and security remain fundamental to national development, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be addressed through military action alone.
“You cannot shoot yourself out of this problem. Security requires collaboration between the security agencies, the armed forces and the general public,” Idris said.
He called for stronger cooperation among the armed forces, security agencies, government institutions at all levels, communities, the media and citizens.
According to him, agencies under the Ministry, particularly the National Orientation Agency, have an important role to play in reaching citizens at the grassroots, strengthening community resilience and promoting responsible citizenship.
Idris also identified fake news, misinformation and disinformation as growing national security concerns, stressing the need for responsible communication and improved media and information literacy among Nigerians.
Homeland Security Office Seeks Stronger Information Coordination
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 to the President on Homeland Security would focus on improving intelligence and surveillance coordination, strengthening border security, identifying emerging security threats and establishing 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.
The Special Adviser emphasised the importance of timely, accurate and coordinated information in responding to security threats and shaping public understanding during crises.
FG Assures Homeland Security Office of Support
Idris assured Famadewa of the Ministry’s full cooperation, saying stronger coordination, effective public 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 senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security.
Among those present were the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire; Special Assistant 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.); and Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu.
Others included the Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Salihu Abdulhamid Dembos; Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Director-General of the News Agency of Nigeria, Ali Muhammad Ali; and other senior government officials.
Source: Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation
