By Faith Anisiobi, The Sight News
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its unwavering commitment to enhancing coordination among security agencies, government institutions, communities, and citizens to foster peace, security, and national development.
This was emphasized by the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a courtesy visit by the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, Major-General Adeyinka Famadewa (Rtd.), to the Ministry in Abuja on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
Minister Idris described the engagement as a vital opportunity to deepen understanding of the newly established Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security and to strengthen collaboration in communicating security policies and initiatives to Nigerians.
“Peace and security are essential elements; in fact, they are the building blocks of any development that can happen anywhere,” the Minister stated. He further stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be resolved by military action alone but require a collaborative approach involving the armed forces, security agencies, government at all levels, communities, the media, and the general public.
“You cannot shoot yourself out of this problem. Security requires collaboration between the security agencies, the armed forces and the general public,” Idris emphasized.
Highlighting the role of the National Orientation Agency and other agencies under the Ministry, the Minister noted their grassroots reach as crucial in strengthening community resilience, promoting responsible citizenship, and ensuring citizens receive accurate and timely information. He also identified fake news, misinformation, and disinformation as emerging national security threats, calling for responsible communication and enhanced media and information literacy.
Major-General Adeyinka Famadewa (Rtd.) said the visit aimed to build a strong working relationship with the Ministry, underscoring information and public education as critical components of modern homeland security. He outlined the office’s focus on unified intelligence and surveillance, stronger border security, improved identification of security threats, and effective protocols for crisis reporting and response.
“Information is key in asymmetric warfare. The first person to speak wins, and we cannot sit back and allow others to shape perception for us,” Famadewa remarked.
Minister Idris assured the Special Adviser of the Ministry’s full cooperation, affirming that stronger coordination, effective communication, and active citizen participation would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of a safer, more peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from both the Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, including Permanent Secretary Dr. Binyerem C. Ukaire, Director Generals of key media agencies, and retired military officers coordinating intelligence and operations.
