The Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali gave this directive on Tuesday in Abuja at a seminar on “Media Management in Crisis Situation” for Information Officers of the Military, Security and Response Agencies”, organised by the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) with support from the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) as well as the Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme (NSRP).
Dan-Ali restated that while the government’s first priority is to ensure the security of lives and property of the citizenry, all socio-economic activities in the country must continue to thrive without any hindrance from criminal elements and terrorists.
He said: “All security agencies in Nigeria have been called upon to crush and deter the threats of crisis and conflicts that have potential to disrupt peace and security of our country.
“Our security and response agencies are constantly engaged in the essential tasks required for meeting the internal security objectives of ensuring safety and security of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, its population and all the critical infrastructures. Our government will not relent in this primary objective.”
The minister added that the government would continue to acknowledge the sustained efforts of the various military, security and response agencies who in spite of all odds are constantly and significantly mitigating the challenges and consequences of violent eruptions and crisis across the country.
He pledged continued support for all the agencies particularly those battling insurgency in the North East so that they can effectively deliver on their mandate.
On crisis management, Dan-Ali tasked information officers of the various agencies to be patriotic and professional in the discharge of their duties.
“You must bear in mind that our dear country is currently confronted with several challenges which demand every sense of professionalism in the way and manner information is to be managed.
“You have the responsibility to manage sensitive information at your disposal with all sense of patriotism and to relate with media and the general public with utmost sense of professionalism taking into cognizance the importance of our cherished national interest and national security”, he charged.
The minister, who commended the CCC for its contribution to national security also charged other organizations to emulate such laudable initiative.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, CCC, Air Com. Yusuf Anas (rtd) said the seminar was designed to assist information officers to effectively and efficiently engage the media to communicate responsibly with the public.
Anas added that the media influence in contemporary scheme of human endeavour cannot be down-played, hence the need to develop an efficient and effective cadre of Public Relations personnel who would be able to manage communication in crisis situation.
The seminar, he added, would also encourage synergy among security and response agencies through harmonisation of information, recalling that in prior to the establishment of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSRA), the forebearer of CCC, there used to be conflicting information from the various agencies during crisis situations. He however conceded that there was still an urgent need to enhance greater communication with the public.
Also speaking, the programme manager of NSRP, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo said the programmed is focused on eight target states on conflict mitigation, especially reducing it’s effect on the vulnerable segment off the population.
Ukiwo congratulated the CCC for being able to host the seminar in spite of several challenges.
He added that there would be a replication of the seminar in the North East and South South zones of the country.