The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger collaboration between the media and security agencies to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated this on Thursday in Abuja while declaring open a 2-day National Security Summit organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in partnership with the Department of State Services, DSS.
Serving as Chairman of the occasion, the Minister described insecurity as a global challenge that requires collective responsibility.
“The media, as watchdog of society, must sustain a strong working relationship with security agencies if we are to attain a peaceful, prosperous, and greater Nigeria,” Idris said.
He assured that journalists’ welfare remains a priority for government, adding that a template to improve welfare nationwide would soon be unveiled.
The Minister commended NUJ leadership for initiating the summit and pledged that government would not relent in deploying more machinery to address security challenges.
In his remarks, NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, said the summit was convened in line with the media’s constitutional role.
He noted that stronger media-security relations would deepen democracy and enhance national security.
Comrade Yahya commended the DSS for not arresting any journalist in over a year, describing it as a positive development.
The NUJ President urged security heads to do more in engaging media practitioners and expressed confidence that summit presentations would help address the nation’s security problems.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, President of the International Press Institute, IPI, Executive Secretary of TETFund, the Kano State Governor, and the NAWOJ National Chairperson, among others.
The summit, themed “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building,” drew participants from across Nigeria. They included NUJ Vice President Zone D, Alhaji Adeiza Momohjimoh; former NUJ National Officer, Alhaji Ali Atabor; Kogi NUJ Vice Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Obansa; and Acting Secretary, Dr. Samuel Atuluku.(OMA News)
