Tag: FG

The Minister of State for Health Dr Tunji Alausa has reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to attainment of universal health coverage for every Nigerians irrespective of social and economic status.

Alausa said President Tinubu recognised that a healthy population was essential for the country’s socio-economic growth and  development, hence, the need for the utmost priority accorded healthcare services.

The Minister stated this in Ikole-Ekiti, the headquarters of Ikole Local Government Area during the signing of memorandum of understanding between the Federal Government and Ekiti State Government on the upgrading of Ikole Specialist Hospital into Federal Medical Centre. 

He said that the Federal Government has made significant progress  through the implementation of robust health reforms and policies in ensuring Nigerians have unfettered access to quality healthcare services. stated

Alausa added that the upgrading of Ikole specialist hospital to a Federal Medical Center was a testament to  President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that every Nigerians have access to quality and comprehensive healthcare.

He said the establishment of the new federal Medical Centre was in line consonance with Federal Government’s agenda to decentralized and healthcare delivery, making it more accessible even the remote communities in the country.

The Minister noted that the facilities will be upgraded and equipped to provide a full range of comprehensive healthcare services,quality training and cutting-edge research.

Commending Governor Biodun Oyebanji for his decision to handover the State specialist hospital, the Minister said it is a clear indication that the government is dedicated to improving the healthcare infrastructure and service to the people of the state.

He explained that the handing over of the facilities goes beyond just a transfer of asset, he said it is a transfer of hope and brighter future for Ekiti people, adding that the facilities would contribute to the overall improvement of the national healthcare service. 

Read Also: FG rehabilitates more portions of failed Abakaliki/Enugu highway

Governor Oyebanji applauded President Tinubu for considering Ekiti State among the four states in the country having new Fedral Mddical Centre,  saying it signifies crucial step in addressing the healthcare need of residents of Ikole-Ekiti and its environs. 

He noted that the facility would enhance overall quality of care, leading to better health outcomes for the people as well as serve as training ground for medical students and health profoessionals to enhance medical practices.

He added that FMC would stimulate local economies through job creation and the growth of supporting industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and housing. Saying local businesses would benefit from the increased demand for goods and services, leading to economic development and poverty reduction.

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to continuing infrastructural development across all geopolitical zones to foster accelerated economic growth. 

According to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, this commitment underpins the President’s innovative approach to road reconstruction and rehabilitation, aimed at boosting industrialization and generating employment.

The Minister stated this at the ongoing stakeholders engagement meeting for the North-Central Zone which included Kogi, Nasarawa and Benue in Lafia.

The meeting attracted stakeholders to discuss the progress and plans for the legacy projects, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the Federal government and State governments to deliver infrastructure development.

While commending the President’s innovative approach to road reconstruction and rehabilitation, targeted at boosting industrialization for employment generation, the Minister encouraged all the stakeholders to support the Renewed  Hope Agenda of President Tinubu’s administration on the infrastructural development drives.

In a statement on Saturday, Vin-Obi Uchenna Glory, on behalf of the Ministry of Works’ Head of Information and Public Relations Department, the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo acknowledged President Tinubu’s efforts benefiting Kogi and Nigerians while commending the Minister of Works for focusing on the Abaji and Lokoja roads.

Read Also: NNPP denies writing to Senate alleging siege by FG on Kano 

Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule also commended President Tinubu for completing long-abandoned projects and praised the Minister for his effective work.

Chairman of the Nasarawa Council of Chiefs, Hon. Justice Sidi Muhammad, expressed his confidence in President Tinubu’s ability to deliver good governance. 

He praised the President’s decision to appoint Umahi as Minister of Works and assured that the Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs would continue to support the Federal Government.

Director of Highways, Bridges, and Design, Obioha Bede, highlighted the purpose of the meeting, which was to discuss the design and alignment of legacy projects impacting Kogi, Nasarawa, and Benue states.

The federal government has debunked claims that Nigerians were not selected to the Harvard Business School because of the country’s negative image.

This was stated in a post on X by Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Public Engagement, Fredrick Nwabufo.

The presidential aide replied to a series of tweets by former Anambra governor Peter Obi, who asserted that no Nigerians were selected for the Harvard Business School class of 2025 due to the country’s negative image. 

Obi further argued that this perception led the institution to choose candidates from Kenya, Rwanda, Morocco, and Ghana, excluding Nigeria.

In his response, Nwabufo said there was no correlation between Harvard Business School’s prerogative of selection in its Field Global Immersion course and Nigeria’s image.

He went on to quote the institution on its selection process to prove that the selection had nothing to do with Nigeria’s image.

He said: “There is simply no correlation between Harvard Business School’s prerogative of selection in its Field Global Immersion course and Nigeria’s image.

“This is what the institution says on its blog as regards the selection of countries for the course.

“The FIELD Global Immersion (FGI) is a semester-long first-year (RC) MBA course. The course is a capstone of sorts, and it requires students to build on learnings from their first-year courses and apply them to real-world business problems. At the beginning of the semester students are paired with a Global Partner (GP) company in one of 16 cities that has a product or service challenge they would like the team to address with their local consumers.

Read Also: FG, MAN collaborate on reviving manufacturing sector

“At the beginning of the fall semester, students are given the opportunity to rank that year’s Immersion locations to which they would most like to travel. As the MBA population is very diverse (and often includes seasoned travelers) students are also given the opportunity to exclude locations to which they do not wish to travel based on where their home country is, and where they have extensive travel or professional experience.

“With these considerations in mind, country and team assignments (aka: Global Section assignments) are made via an algorithm that ensures diversity of gender and citizenship – much like their RC Sections! Projects are then assigned to teams at random being mindful of potential conflicts of interest.”

Determined to rescue the manufacturing sector, the Federal Government has joined forces with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) for actionable roadmap and policy framework for the sector.

Vice President Kashim Shettima assured that if presented, the roadmap and policy framework would be speedily implemented to effect the needed changes that will revamp the sector.

The Vice President gave the assurance on Tuesday while declaring open a three-day National Manufacturing Policy Summit at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Information, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima regretted that the sector, which has a crucial role to play in building a nation driven by production and abundance, had endured a series of setbacks over the past decades.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I implore us all to leverage this summit to develop an actionable roadmap and policy framework, ready for immediate implementation, to create the changes we want in the manufacturing sector. I assure you that we shall always maintain an open-door policy to accommodate your needs and expectations,” Senator Shettima stated.

The Vice President also called for the prioritisation of local content and promotion of made-in-Nigeria products, noting that Executive Order 003 which makes the patronage of locally manufactured products mandatory is still in effect.

“Let us be reminded that we cannot achieve significant progress in our drive for industrialisation unless we deliberately promote the production of capital goods. We must be focused on expanding our production base, prioritizing local content, and promoting made-in-Nigeria products.

“I want to assure you that Executive Order No 003 – Support for Local Content in Public Procurement by the Federal Government, which mandates the patronage of locally manufactured products is still in effect. The relevant government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are mandated to fully comply with the order,” he declared.

Shettima observed that as a country in Africa, “a continent that has languished at the bottom of the global value chain, with its share of global manufacturing at less than two percent,” Nigeria has no better option than to support its indigenous firms to produce locally and increase their capabilities.

The summit, according to him, offers the opportunity to re-evaluate the challenges confronting the sector and proffer solutions that would resolve them, even as he noted that a competitive manufacturing sector would reduce the inequities in the nation’s economy as well as overdependence on imports.

His words: “Our proposal to minimize the economic imbalances in the nation is based on strengthening the production base of our economy, particularly in manufacturing.

“Most of our setbacks as a nation, as each of you knows, are due to over-dependence on imports for even our basic necessities. That is why we need you to address the various challenges facing the sector and ensure we have a competitive manufacturing sector.”

VP Shettima expressed satisfaction with what he saw during a tour of the exhibition, saying he is convinced more than ever of Nigeria’s industrial capabilities, creativity, and innovation.

Stressing the role of manufacturing in driving the nation’s wealth, job creation, living standards, and revenue generation, the Vice President said it explains why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is focused on accelerating infrastructure projects, including roads, ports and energy supply.

“It is essential to expedite the delivery of infrastructure projects that will enable the sector to leap forward and thrive. This is why His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s focus on roads, ports, and energy supply is strategic,” he added.

The VP identified five pillars of the summit, which he said are a clear roadmap for stimulating the manufacturing sector, pointing out that it is imperative to enact meaningful change and develop industries by addressing critical issues under each of these pillars.

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He listed them to include upscaling productivity and competitiveness, energy security and infrastructure development, improving the macroeconomic environment and ease of doing business, promoting Made-in-Nigeria products and local content development, and leveraging regional and continental trade for export development.

Earlier, President of MAN, Otunba Francis Meshioye, thanked participants for honouring the invitation after several postponements, just as he also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, for the unique opportunity and his magnanimity to host the Summit in the State House.

He said since the association opened communication with the office of the Vice President, they have been receiving tremendous support and collaboration from the Presidency.

He said the summit was organised to interrogate the evidence behind the constraints demeaning the performances of the industrial sector and to think and agree with the government on what to do to address them.

“The ultimate goal of the meeting is to reposition the sector on the path of accelerated growth, enhance its competitiveness and reap its multiplier effect on the economy and the wellbeing of the citizenry.

Highlighting the problems diminishing growth in the sector, he stated that “the prevailing microeconomic environment places severe strains on the manufacturing sector,” adding that “this is adversely affecting jobs and people’s livelihoods of the citizens.”

Also, former Minister of Finance, Olusegun Aganga, urged the government to declare manufacturing a national priority sector.

He pointed out that the mere possession of natural resources does not guarantee national wealth. “What makes a country rich is what it does with its resources,” Aganga said, calling for a shift from peasant farming to commercial agriculture and from artisanal mining to attracting major miners.

Aganga also recommended eliminating excessive customs duties, levies, and overlapping regulatory mandates to boost the manufacturing sector.

The federal government has initiated investigations into the alleged breach of citizens’ data by some data verification platforms and unauthorised portals.

The government is looking into claims that individuals have purchased the National Identity Numbers (NINs) of the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, as well as the National Commissioner for the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Vincent Olatunji.

The investigations aim to uncover the circumstances surrounding the alleged purchase of the NINs of the two personalities for 100 naira each during the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) had two weeks ago released the identities of five unauthorised portals alleged to have breached citizens’ data through NIN verification and engaged in unwholesome activities without approval from the Commission.

The NIMC through its head of corporate communications, Kayode Adegoke gave the names of the portals as idfinder.com.ng, verify.ng/signing, championtech.com.ng, trustyonline.com, anyverify.com, and overly.kremtech.com.ng

He advised citizens to use only NIMC’s selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng portals for modification of their NINs.

However, the national commissioner for the NDPC, Vincent Olatunji said the whole issue and the portals are being investigated.

 He promised that severe sanctions would be meted out to those who committed infractions on citizens’ data and personal information.

Olatunji acknowledged that in the past some platforms had been pulled down by the government, while others wrote to the commission on their operations and sought guidance.

Speaking on the probe launched by the government on the matter during a Programme on Channels TV yesterday, the national commissioner said his commission and other relevant bodies would make the outcome of the investigation known to Nigerians within the next two weeks.

Olatunji said that the government would like to know the reasons his NIN and that of the Minister were purchased by those claiming that they purchased them.

“We would like to know the reasons for their actions whether it is for economic reasons, or to embarrass the government, it is important we know how and where they got the NINs,” he said.

He said the NDPC, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS), and the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC) among other institutions responsible for the collection of citizens’ data are now working together to unmask unauthorised online platforms/portals collecting citizens data for selfish gains.

Olatunji said he would not disclose details of the investigations on a public forum, but insisted that the government was not folding its arms on the matter.

Read Also: Malaria: FG steps up elimination drive with advisory board, ministerial taskforce

He described data collection situations in Nigeria as complex as there are over 3 million institutions across the country that are collecting citizens’ personal information (data) without the requisite knowledge and professional acumen on the parts of data Processors and Collectors.

Olatunji said among those collecting citizens’ data are hotels, schools, insurance companies, hospitals, banks, and other financial institutions, saying the NDPC couldn’t monitor the 3 million institutions at the same time and sanction those who breached citizens’ data.

He added it was only a year ago that his Commission had the enabling law to function effectively, stressing that what the Commission was doing currently was to engage all stakeholders and create massive awareness about data privacy, data management and other related issues.

He said the commission would soon begin training over 1,000 processors on the intricacies of data collection and data management.

The federal government has established an Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN) and the Ministerial Task Force on Malaria Elimination in its drive to accelerate its efforts towards malaria elimination.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate while inaugurating the Advisory board and Ministerial Taskforce, said the move became imperative considering the significant burden of the disease on Nigeria in terms of mortality, morbidity, lost work hours, out-of-pocket expenses, and government investments in treatments and interventions.

In a statement on Monday by his Special Assistant (SA) on Media and External Relations, Tashikalmah Hallah, the minister emphasised that despite being preventable and treatable, malaria continues to be a major challenge for the country.

“Therefore, we need a paradigm shift from the standard approach to a more proactive and result-oriented method of defeating this disease.

“On this premise, we invited academics, malaria programme experts, development partners, private sectors, civil societies, business enthusiasts, policymakers as well as the political class to a roundtable discussion to rethink the country’s approaches and strategic views on malaria, which culminated to the setting up of the Advisory for Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN), among other things agendas, and the Ministerial Task Force on Malaria in Nigeria,” he was quoted as saying.

The Advisory on Malaria Elimination in Nigeria (AMEN) which is chaired by Emeritus Prof. Rose Leke University of Yaoundé, Cameroun, includes Prof. Dyann Wirth, of the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr. Soji Adeyi President of Resilience Health System, Prof. Ibrahim Abubakar, University College, London, and Prof. Peter Piot of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as members.

“They will offer evidence-based advisory services and meet regularly to review program evidence and provide guidance on aligning with best practices for malaria elimination.

“They will also collaborate with the CMH&SW and HMSH to review implementation when necessary. The team will meet every 6 months (twice a year),” Prof Pate added.

The Ministerial Task Force, according to him will consist of stakeholders from various sectors who have extensive knowledge of malaria implementation in Nigeria and are based in Nigeria, saying, “They will ensure that the advice and recommendations from the AMEN are carefully considered, analyzed, and implemented.

“The Malaria Taskforce will collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Health, development partners, donor agencies, and the AMEN as needed.

“The task force will contribute to the overall goal of the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP) and work to reduce the incidence of malaria.

“It will also aim to improve the impact of malaria interventions through coordinated efforts in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and awareness creation,” he said.

Read Also: FG donates 1,419 metric tonnes of maize, garri to Oyo state

The Ministerial Taskforce is co-chaired by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare and the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, while the Chairman of the Malaria Technical Working Group in Nigeria, will serve as the Vice Chairman.

Other members of the Ministerial Taskforce, include the Permanent Secretary, Director, Public Health, representatives of WHO, Secretary, Country Coordinating Mechanism, GF, Representatives of the Civil Society Organizations Secretary, Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Group of Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMG, MAN), Strategic Adviser to the Ministers of Health on Malaria, Secretary of the Governors’ Forum and Technical Adviser to the Coordinating Minister on ATM.

The team that has the National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme as the Secretary will meet every six to eight weeks, as well as during other scheduled meetings but the membership will be reviewed biennially for renewal or replacement to achieve optimum results.

The Federal Government has donated 1,287 metric tonnes of maize and 132 metric tonnes of gari to Oyo state government for distribution to vulnerable members of the society.

The Director General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Hajiya Zubaida Umar, handed over the food items to the state government, on behalf of the Federal Government, on Monday in Ibadan.

Umar, who was represented by the South West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Adewale Stephen, said the gesture was to provide necessary support to cushion the economic hardship.

She said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to the welfare and well-being of Nigerians.

“Mr President approved the release of 42,000 metric tonnes of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve under the custody of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,” she said.

Umar said that 1,287 metric tonnes of maize (25,740 in 50kg bags) and 132 metric tonnes of garri (5,280 in 25kg bags) were allocated to Oyo State, and would be shared equally to all the LGAs in the state.

The NEMA boss urged the respective committees assigned the task of distribution to follow the guideline and template put in place.

In his remarks, Gov. Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Bayo Lawal, emphasised the significance of the gesture in providing immediate relief and support to vulnerable groups.

Makinde said that the distribution of food items had been structured in a way that it would reach targeted vulnerable in communities, both in urban and rural areas of the state.

The governor called on the local government chairmen to ensure that the committee assigned the task of distribution of the food items in their respective councils, strictly adhered to the distribution template.

He said that the distribution of the food items would be a test of transparency on the part of the new executive chairmen across the 33 LGAs.

The governor equally highlighted the proactive measures taken by his administration to enhance social protection frameworks.

He reiterated his unwavering commitment to sustainable development goals and stressed the imperative of building resilient communities through targeted interventions and strategic partnership and collaboration.

Makinde further emphasised the importance of collective collaboration toward bringing an end to the security challenges, especially in some parts of the state that are largely agrarian, such as Oke-Ogun, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Oyo geopolitical zones.

He added that without collective efforts, it would be impossible to achieve the desired results in the fight against criminal elements such as kidnappers, bandits, and armed robbers.

Read Also: FG axes Mothercat, Dantata & Sawoe, RCC from Obajana-Benin highway project

Speaking on behalf of the local government chairmen, the Executive Chairman of Ogbomoso South Local Government, Mr Timothy Oyedokun, commended the collaboration between the state and federal government in the provision of food items.

Oyedokun promised that the distribution guideline and template would not be compromised in the distribution process.

NAN reports that the deputy governor performed the symbolic distribution of the food items to some of the council chairmen.

(NAN)

…national Social Housing Fund in pipeline – Minister

The federal government has identified a lack of access to affordable housing finance as one of the major causes of the housing deficit in Nigeria, saying that 80 percent of the citizens cannot afford a mortgage as a measure to get home.

The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa stated this in his keynote address at the opening of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition, held at Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Hall, Kaduna on Monday, July 1.

He said the major issue governments at all levels have to address in their desire to deliver sustainability to the citizens, is the issue of affordability.

The minister added that statistics have shown that almost half of Nigeria’s population of over 201 million are poor and have weak purchasing power.

“In fact of the 43 million households, over 85% have less than N1.1 Million Purchasing Power. Of this 40% (about 17.2 million households fall into the poverty income group and 47% (about 20.2 million) fall into the low-income group.

“On the whole, statistics reveal that Nigeria is a low-income country as it has only 13% of its population as middle class. The recent macro-economic challenges including inflation have made things worse,” he said.

He however said that it is against that background that the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government through the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development is planning to establish a National Social Housing Fund (NSHF).

Arc. Dangiwa explained that, under the NSHF, the federal government is aiming to pull funds from the government budget, philanthropic organizations, and well-meaning Nigerians towards providing decent shelter for Nigerians with no income, low income, and vulnerable brackets who simply cannot afford to own their homes.

Read Also: Minimum wage: Go for mortgage housing to avoid stagflation – Okechukwu tells labour

According to him, “Some of these units will be delivered at no cost. We have developed the concept note that is undergoing review. Once concluded we will present it to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for approval and legislation.

“Social housing is not only a necessity it is also a security insurance for the rich and the poor. Because housing is capital intensive and the government has limited funds, we must find alternative collective avenues to help our brothers and sisters who are underprivileged. It is for our collective good.

“In this way, the underprivileged will know that we are one and that we are our brother’s keeper, and that will help social cohesion, understanding, and peace. This is because home ownership gives individuals a sense of belonging and a stake in the community,” the Minister said.

He, however, commended the Governor Uba Sani-led government of Kaduna state for its practical, inclusive, and pragmatic vision for housing delivery, part of which led to the organization of the maiden Kaduna International Housing Exhibition.

Earlier in his address, Governor Uba Sani who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe said the provision of affordable houses for Kaduna State citizens was a key priority of his administration and committed to addressing the housing deficit across the State in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said that the Kaduna State government had adopted a holistic approach towards filling the identified gap through partnerships with local and international investors to frontally address it housing deficit.

According to him, “Qatar Charity, in partnership with the Kaduna State Government, is constructing Mass Housing for the Less Privileged and Kaduna Economic City, all in Millennium City, Kaduna. I recently performed the groundbreaking for the construction of the 3319 Hectares Nuru Suraj Ungwar Dosa New Extension Layout. This project is being executed through a Public – public-private partnership. Nuru Suraj and Kaduna State Government are working together to develop 35,000 plots for our people”

“The Social Housing Scheme was introduced to provide affordable accommodation as a social service for the vulnerable populace (the low-income earners). Efficient design and construction methods, which are key indicators that drive the affordability target of the scheme, were employed,” he said.

The Governor also stated that his administration has attracted many investors (Real Estate Developers) and has partnered with them in the construction of mass housing estates across the Kaduna metropolis under PPP arrangement.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director Kaduna State Development and Property Company (KSDPC), Arc. Abubakar Rabiu Abubakar announced the launch of two social initiatives: the Arewa Construction Academy and the KSDPC Housing Cooperative Society, demonstrating the state’s commitment to social investment, skill development, and addressing the housing needs of low and middle-income families.

He also said that KSDPC was set to embark on certain key housing and housing infrastructure projects, including the Ultramodern Mechanics Village for the Eastern Sector of the Kaduna metropolis, featuring an Electric Vehicle (EV) Assembly Plant, CNG Conversion Stations, EV Charger Manufacturing, and strategically located EV charging points, A 5-star Hospital with Doctor Quarters.

According to him, the Company is also planning “A private university to be known as ABSAAR University, a Building Materials Village to service the Eastern Sector of Kaduna metropolis, A Trucks and Heavy-Duty Mechanics Village, which are expected to attract and facilitate the construction and delivery of at least 2000 mixed-type housing units across Kaduna metropolis within the next 5 years.

“This exhibition is a testament to our efforts to transform aspirations into tangible results, ensuring that Kaduna State remains a beacon of progress and opportunity for all its residents,” the KSDPC boss disclosed.

The exhibition is being attended by developers, producers and marketers of building materials and other stakeholders in the housing industry.

The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, has urged journalists to offer compelling, positive alternatives that resonate with the populace to counter terrorists’ ideology.

Idris said terrorists are not just fighting a physical war on the populace but a psychological war, which should be countered by media reportage that is positive and compelling.

The minister said this on Tuesday, June 25, at a two-day workshop on “Effective Reporting Towards Strengthening Alternatives to Terrorist Ideologies,” organised by the National Counter-terrorism Centre (NCTC) in the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

He said: “The media holds an immense power to influence minds, shape narratives, and promote peace. In the fight against terrorism, the media can either undermine or bolster our collective efforts to provide alternatives to extremist ideologies. Through your reports, images, and commentaries, you have the unique ability to educate, inform, and inspire resilience among the public.

“Terrorism is not merely a physical threat; it is an ideological battle of the mind with the extremist groups exploiting vulnerabilities, spreading fear, and propagating messages that present them as fighting for a social cause, to further their depraved agenda. To counter this, we must offer compelling, positive alternatives that resonate with the same audiences targeted by terrorists. Therefore, your reporting plays a pivotal role in this endeavour.

“To achieve this, the media should continue to project successful initiatives and programmes of NCTC and ONSA that counter-radicalization as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists into the community.

“I will enjoin the Defence Correspondents/Reporters to work closely with security experts, sociologists, psychologists, and community leaders to provide a multi-faceted perspective on terrorism and its alternatives. Use data and research to back your stories, thereby enhancing credibility and depth.”

The minister charged the media to always uphold the ethics of journalism by being objective and fair and guarding against sensationalism.

Read Also: FG delivers affordable housing to civil servants amid economic challenges

Earlier in his remarks, the national coordinator of NCTC, Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka urged journalists to use their media outfits to “give Nigeria a good name.”

He said this would attract more Foreign Direct Investments that would improve the lives of Nigerians and better position the country in the comity of nations.

Gen. Laka said the workshop in collaboration with the National Peace Academy, and Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), was part of NCTC mandates in countering terrorist and violent extremist narratives.