The Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Mike Omeri has said if relevant stakeholders like the military and media practitioners fail to constantly collaborate in the fight against insurgency, not only will the nation deny itself of victory over terrorism but the result will also pose untold danger for the country.
Omeri made this known, Thursday, 26th November, 2015 at the NOA headquarters, Old Federal Secretariat, Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, while giving an opening remark at a one-day seminar, organized by the agency on the theme: “Do the Right Thing: Close the Security Gaps”: The Role of the Media in Security Reporting in Nigeria.
The NOA boss, who said there was need for understanding and synergy between security agencies and the media in the reportage of activities of insurgents in the country, maintained that such must be done while conscious efforts were made to place national interest at the fore of all media reports.
His words:: “The global threat of terrorism is resonating in several parts of the world and we are inundated with media reports emanating from various parts of the world on the carnage and needless loss of lives and property. It is indeed time to pause and consider the roles that various sections of the public ought to play in the fight against terror so as to close the various seeming gaps that may have inadvertently been created and may pose untold danger if not checked.”
“One key area requiring keen alertness on the part of all stakeholders is the prevailing need, at this time more than ever, to protect critical national information and common facilities including sources and channels of food and water supplies. All hands must be on deck to support and compliment the heroic efforts of our military by remaining vigilant and availing security agencies of useful information about suspicious characters, items and movements in our immediate environments.”
According to him, the commitment of the Federal Government and the nation’s armed forces towards achieving victory over insurgents has been underscored by stakeholders, as President Muhammadu Buhari has issued a deadline of December, 2015 for the successful completion of the anti-insurgency war.
He however debunked the claim that the security challenge confronting Nigeria today is a true reflection of who Nigerians are or their cherished values as a people, stressing that all must strive to assert that Nigerians are peace-loving, hospitable and disciplined people and must collectively build trust between communities and strong synergy among stakeholders to give support to the fight against insurgency.
Present at the occasion were former Director-General of NOA and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Tony Iredia, who delivered the lead paper; President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abdulwaheed Odusile; Professor Emmanuel Dandaura of Nsarawa State University, Keffi, who represented the President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations(NIPR); and the Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr. Akin Adejuwon, among others.
The Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma, who was unavoidably absent due to the exigency of office, was represented by the Director, Orientation and Cultural Affairs, Mr. Alex Omijie.
Caleb Nor
Corporate Affairs Unit
NICO, Abuja