By Nkechi Eze
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has teamed up with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Information Chapel to enhance the capacity of Federal Government Information and Public Relations Officers to respond more effectively to Nigeria’s evolving security situation.
The one-day training, held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the NCTC headquarters in Abuja, brought together participants from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under the theme “Empowering the Messenger: Innovative Approaches to Public Information in the Face of Security Challenges.” Discussions centred on the growing responsibilities of public information managers in an era of digital disruption, misinformation, and heightened national security concerns.
In a keynote speech delivered on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Chinasa Nnam Ogbodo, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, fnipr, applauded the NCTC’s role in protecting the nation’s peace and stability. He underscored the importance of information that is accurate, timely, and relevant in building trust between the government and the public. The Minister urged government information officers to reflect the country’s values in their work and to ensure that Nigeria’s story is told truthfully and positively. He also pledged his ministry’s continued partnership with security agencies to curb the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.
Welcoming participants, NCTC National Coordinator Major General Adamu Garba Laka explained that public information officers are on the frontline of shaping narratives, influencing public opinion, and strengthening unity in the face of complex threats. According to him, the workshop was designed to provide participants with new tools, exposure to international best practices, and insights into communication strategies that can dismantle extremist narratives and counter falsehoods.
The Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, mnipr, in his goodwill remarks, described the contest for “hearts and minds” as a crucial dimension of national security that must be won alongside physical counter-terrorism efforts. The Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Salihu Dembos represented by Hajia Alima Musa, stressed that trust and credibility remain the backbone of any effective counter-terrorism messaging.
Similarly, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, represented by the agency’s Director of Communication and Media, Mr. Bala Musa, reiterated the NOA’s commitment to sustaining robust national communication campaigns in partnership with the NCTC.
In his closing remarks, Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon, fnipr, extended appreciation to retired Major General Chris Olukolade for his contributions and thanked the Minister, NCTC leadership, and other partners for making the programme a success. He called for such training programmes to be organised regularly to further sharpen the skills of NUJ Federal Information Chapel members.
The workshop combined expert-led lectures with interactive sessions and hands-on exercises on crisis communication, public relations, and ethical media engagement. Participants received certificates at the end of the training, signalling the organisers’ commitment to ongoing professional development in support of Nigeria’s national security objectives.
