Stakeholders in the media, security sector, traditional institutions and government, have advocated for the critical role of ethical reporting in addressing insecurity and promoting peace in Nigeria.
The stakeholders spoke at a two-day summit themed, “Security Journalism and Its Economic Impact on National Development,” where they emphasized that responsible and factual reporting has a direct impact on national security, economic growth, and public safety.
Speaking at the summit, the President of the Centre, Muhammad Abdullahi Ado, highlighted the increasing threat posed by misinformation, especially through social media platforms.
Organized by the Centre for Patriotism and Values Re-Orientation, the summit brought together senior military officials, traditional rulers, government representatives, and media professionals from across the country to explore the nexus between journalism and national security.
Ado said: “We are in a time where having truthful and verified information is becoming increasingly rare. Social media has taken over traditional information channels, often spreading unverified or harmful content. This summit is our response to that challenge, we brought together journalists, security agencies, and even social media influencers to champion truth and professionalism in reporting.
“Security and media are closely linked. When reporters work ethically, it helps strengthen public trust and supports the security architecture of our nation.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who was represented, Major General M.G. Kanye stressed the importance of collaboration between media and security institutions.
He called for improved welfare and legal protections for journalists who operate in conflict-sensitive environments.
He said: “All those causing trouble in our land. They are not spirits. So our prayer and request to members of the Nigerian society is that whatever you see, whatever you write around, please give that information. If you cannot have access to security forces around you, there are members of the Nigerian police.”
In her address, the First Lady of Kebbi State, Her Excellency Zainab Nasari Idris, also addressed the gathering, urging journalists, particularly young reporters to prioritize accuracy and integrity in their reports.
She said: “Journalism plays a vital role in shaping the minds of the public. The peace and unity of this nation depend on how responsibly we report events, especially in times of crisis.”
She was praised by Dr. Halima Muhammad Bande, Commissioner of Basic and Secondary Education in Kebbi State, for her active role in empowering youth and women and addressing insecurity through grassroots initiatives.
She said: “Through her foundation, the First Lady has provided skills training in tailoring, shoemaking, welding, and other vocational areas. She has also initiated the deployment of vigilantes to schools facing security threats and supported education through the provision of essential learning materials.”
Dr. Bande added that the First Lady is not only a patron of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) but also a staunch supporter of peace journalism, advocating for the media to play a frontline role in tackling insecurity.
Also speaking at the summit, the Former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Mamman Nami, described the summit’s focus as timely, noting that a peaceful environment is crucial to economic development and investor confidence.
He called on all tiers of government to support journalists through fair remuneration, training, and legal protections, while also emphasizing the need for tax revenue to be invested wisely in areas that boost peace and development.
He said: “It is an important event with a theme that is up because the event of the summit decided to lead the journalism with the security of our country. And in the course of our deliberations you will recall that everybody emphasized on professional journalism based on facts, journalism based on creativity, journalism that will ensure national unity, journalism that will promote our growth as a country that will ensure investment in our economy.
“That will ensure more in the modern life, because it wasn’t basically needed to go to like close the middle of the border, go and tax GDP, and also ensure good roads, good infrastructure, quality roads, for people that we need as a country.
“And in the course of our generation we are able to advise the government at local government levels, at state level, and all at the federal level to invest tax payers and build investors’ confidence so that people can continue to come into our country for investment in our economy.”