By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), in partnership with the 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).
Held on Monday, August 11, 2025, at the NCTC Headquarters in Abuja, the workshop was themed “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.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Chinasa Nnam Ogbodo, delivered the keynote address, according to a statement made available to the SUMMIT POST on Tuesday.
He commended the NCTC for its commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s peace and stability, stressing that timely, factual, and relevant information is essential to 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 in combating misinformation and hate speech.
In his welcome remarks, Major General Adamu Garba Laka, National Coordinator of the NCTC, 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, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Director-General/CEO of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), emphasised the need to win the “battle for hearts and minds” as a cornerstone of national stability.
Similarly, Mr Salihu Dembos, Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA, represented by Hajia Alima Musa, stressed the importance of trust-building and factual reporting in counter-terrorism efforts.
Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), represented by the Director of Communication and Media, Mr Bala Musa, reaffirmed NOA’s commitment to sustaining impactful national information strategies in collaboration with the NCTC.
Dr. Afolabi Olajuwon, who delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledged the contributions of retired Major General Chris Olukolade and expressed gratitude to the minister, the NCTC, and other partners.
He appealed for sustained training initiatives for members of the NUJ Federal Information Chapel to further strengthen their professional capacity.
The one-day workshop featured expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and practical exercises on public relations, crisis communication, and responsible media engagement. The event concluded with the presentation of certificates to all participants.