Security: FG committed to national development –Idris

From Aidoghie Paulinus, Abuja

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening coordination among security agencies, government institutions, communities and citizens towards promoting peace, security and national development.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this when he received the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major General Adeyinka Famadewa (retd.), in Abuja.

The Minister, who welcomed the visit, described the engagement as an important opportunity to deepen understanding of the mandate of the newly established Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security and strengthen collaboration in communicating security policies and initiatives to Nigerians.

According to his Special Assistant on Media, Rabiu Ibrahim, Idris stressed that peace and security remained fundamental to national development.

“Peace and security are essential elements; in fact, they are the building blocks of any development that can happen anywhere,” Idris said.

He noted that Nigeria’s security challenges could not be addressed through military action alone, but required closer collaboration among the armed forces, security agencies, governments at all levels, communities, the media and the general public.

“You cannot shoot yourself out of this problem. Security requires collaboration between the security agencies, the armed forces and the general public,” the Minister said.

Idris highlighted the grassroots reach of the National Orientation Agency and other agencies under the Ministry, noting their important role in strengthening community resilience, promoting responsible citizenship and ensuring that citizens receive accurate and timely information.

He also identified fake news, misinformation and disinformation as emerging national security challenges, stressing the need for responsible communication and greater media and information literacy.

Famadewa, on his part, said the visit was aimed at building a strong working relationship between his office and the Ministry.

He described information and public education as critical components of modern homeland security, noting that effective communication was essential to countering threats and managing public perception during security emergencies.

The Special Adviser said the office 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, stressing that stronger coordination, effective communication and active citizen participation would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.