By ABAH ADAH, Abuja
National Counter Terrorism Centre, NCTC, Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, in partnership with Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Federal Information Chapel, has successfully conducted a capacity-building workshop for Information and Public Relations Officers from federal government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, MDAs.
The workshop, held on Monday, August 11 in Abuja, had as theme: ‘Empowering the Messenger: Innovative Approaches to Public Information in the Face of Security Challenges.’
It explored the pivotal role of government information managers in navigating today’s evolving communication environment, particularly in the context of national security.
In his keynote address, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Chinasa Ogbodo, commended NCTC for its commitment to safeguard Nigeria’s peace and stability, stressing that timely, factual and relevant information is essential in fostering public trust and unity.
He urged information officers to uphold national values and present Nigeria’s story accurately, while reaffirming the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with security agencies to combat misinformation and hate speech.
In his welcome remarks, National Coordinator of the NCTC, Major-General Adamu Laka underscored the need for public information officers to shape narratives, influence public perception and strengthen national cohesion amid digital disruption and complex security threats. He explained that the workshop was designed to equip participants with innovative tools, global best practices and a deeper understanding of modern communication strategies to counter extremist ideologies and misinformation.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Director-General/CEO of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, Mallam Jibrin Ndace, emphasised the need to win the “battle for hearts and minds” as a cornerstone of national stability.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Mr Salihu Dembos, represented by Hajia Alima Musa, stressed the importance of trust-building and factual reporting in counter-terrorism efforts.
The one-day workshop featured expert-led sessions, interactive discussions and practical exercises on public relations, crisis communication and responsible media engagement.
The event ended with the presentation of certificates to all participants.
