The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has appealed to journalists to always treat fallen military and security personnel with dignity in their reportage.
Idris made the appeal, on Monday, at a National Symposium on Digital Innovation in Crisis Communication, organised by Centre for Crisis Communication, Abuja.
The Minister noted that every combatant who pays the supreme price is not just a statistic, but someone’s child or spouse.
“The media should always rally around the national flag in moments of crisis,” Idris said.
The Minister, who was represented by the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Jibrin Ndace, also urged the media to utilize emerging technologies to transform crisis communication in ways that protect public safety and uphold national security.
He highlighted that technology introduces vast opportunities, but also presents serious challenges that can undermine stability if left unregulated.
“As digital platforms evolve, propaganda, disinformation and harmful online narratives continue to escalate during emergencies, posing a grave risk to public order and national security,” he said.
Idris emphasised that the construction of narratives in the media, whether internally or externally, directly shapes national perception and influences the country’s image globally.
“It is not only the insecurity that we battle, but also the narrative that frames the insecurity,” the Minister said.
He added that the way issues about insecurity are reported carries significant impact, emphasising the necessity for the media to adopt technological strategies to enhance early warning systems, improve interagency coordination, and ensure accurate dissemination of life-saving information.
He commended the Centre for Crisis Communication for organising the symposium, describing it as timely and strategic, particularly in today’s fast-paced information ecosystem.
The Chairman of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd), stated that crisis communication is no longer a supportive function but a strategic national security asset, warning that modern crises now unfold in real-time and demand equally rapid and reliable communication responses.
Gen. Olukolade noted contemporary crises are more frequent, complex and unpredictable, driven by climate change, public health emergencies, security threats, cyberattacks, industrial incidents and social tensions amplified online.
He emphasised that digital platforms have significantly reshaped how emergencies evolve and how institutions must respond, noting that the survival of affected populations increasingly depends on rapid access to verified information, institutional coordination and public response speed.
He stated that communication tools of yesterday can no longer address the emergencies of today, stressing that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, mobile alerts, big data and real-time monitoring systems offer unprecedented opportunities to detect early warning signals, counter misinformation and improve interagency coordination.
Olukolade further highlighted that inconsistent messaging, fragmented information flow and distrust in institutions weaken national resilience during emergencies.
He called on stakeholders to embrace innovation, strengthen collaboration and transition from traditional systems to technologically enhanced crisis communication frameworks.
The Chairman urged participants to engage critically, collaborate openly and contribute ideas that will shape the country’s future communication strategy.
“The future of crisis communication depends on our ability to embrace innovation, strengthen collaboration and move decisively from traditional approaches to technology-enhanced solutions,” he said.