Minister of Information and National Orientation, Malam Mohammed Idris, has called on government information and public relations officers, as well as the media, to collaborate with security agencies in combating fake news, hate speech, and divisive narratives.
Idris made the call in Abuja on Monday at the opening of a training workshop for Information and Public Relations Officers of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), organised by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Information Chapel. He was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Chinasa Ogbodo.
The minister warned that misinformation undermines public trust, while insecurity threatens freedom of expression. He urged stakeholders to promote messages of peace, progress, and unity, and commended the NUJ Federal Information Chapel for “telling the Nigerian story with accuracy, fairness, and responsibility.”
He also praised the NCTC for its efforts in tackling terrorism and countering extremist propaganda, pledging continued cooperation between his ministry and security agencies to safeguard “both the minds and lives of citizens.”
NCTC National Coordinator, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, stressed the role of public information officers in shaping narratives during national crises. He said the workshop, themed “Empowering the Messenger: Innovative Approaches to Public Information in the Face of Security Challenges”, aimed to enhance communication capacity and harmonise federal agency strategies against radicalisation and violent extremism.
In goodwill messages, the Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Malam Jibrin Baba-Ndace, urged journalists to uphold truth and unity, while NTA Director-General, Salihu Dambos, represented by Director of News Hajiya Halima Musa, emphasised responsible and accurate reporting to counter extremist propaganda.
Also speaking, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by Director of Communications and Media Bala Musa, said effective, truthful communication was central to countering misinformation and fostering public confidence.
