By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the media and engaging the public to enhance the security and unity of the nation.
Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony of the Press Week organised by the Federal Information Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja on Thursday and Coordinator, National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), ONSA, Major General A. G. Laka, stated this while delivering the keynote address.
He said, “As we forge ahead, the Office of the National Security Adviser remains committed to open communication, collaboration with the media, and strategic public engagement that strengthens our collective security and unity.”
Commending the foresight behind the choice of this year’s theme for the Press Week which is:“Media, Public Relations and Governance: Repositioning Government Spokespersons for Credibility in the Digital Era”, the general charged the media and government spokespersons to make credibility of contents their watchword so as to beat the tide of misinformation, fake news, etc. that characterise the information and communication landscape in this digital age.
Major-Gen. Laka who was represented by Abu Michael, the head, Strategic Communication, NCTC – ONSA, said, “This is a subject that could not be more timely, or more critical, given the transformative shifts we are witnessing in the global and national communication landscapes.
‘The digital era has revolutionised how we access, process, and disseminate information. While it has democratised communication; it has also created an environment where misinformation, disinformation, and fake news spread with alarming speed.
“For government institutions, particularly those charged with national security, policy communication, and public trust, the implications are enormous.
“Credibility is no longer a luxury. It is the very currency of public engagement. And in this age where the first narrative often becomes the accepted truth, government spokespersons must evolve into proactive, transparent, and trusted communicators who can engage both the traditional media and the dynamic digital audience.”
Speaking further, he said, “From the lens of national security, which I represent as the National Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the role of the media and public relations professionals cannot be overstated.
“Violent extremism, terrorism, and insurgency thrive not only on weapons and ideologies, but also on narratives. In many cases, it is the narrative that precedes the violence.
“This is why strategic communication must be central to our national counter-terrorism efforts. It is not enough to degrade hostile actors on the battlefield; we must also win the information war, a battle fought through facts, trust, engagement, and the consistent delivery of credible information.
“Government spokespersons are our frontline defenders in this space. Their voices shape perception, build confidence, and counter harmful propaganda. But to be effective, they must not only speak; they must be believed.
“Credibility does not come from a title or an office, it comes from consistency, truthfulness, professionalism, and accountability.”
He said “for our government spokespersons to be repositioned”, some key areas needed to be focused on, which includes training and capacity building, equipping them with modern tools for digital engagement, crisis communication, and media relations, transparency and timely communication, collaboration between security agencies and the media, and observation of media practice ethics and responsibilities.
Concluding, NCTC boss said, “Credibility is a two-way street. While we ask for responsible communication from government officials, we also urge our media professionals to continue upholding the ethics of truth, balance, and objectivity.
“Ladies and gentlemen, in this era of instantaneous information and rapid digital discourse, the role of the spokespersons has transformed. Today’s spokesperson is not merely a mouthpiece for government. He or she is a bridge builder, a guardian of public trust, and a strategic actor in nation-building.
“Let us therefore use this week not only to celebrate your profession but to interrogate the evolving responsibilities that come with it. Let us commit to stronger partnerships between government and the media. And let us remember that a credible voice is the most powerful tool of governance in the 21st century.”