...to pay more attention on security in FCT
FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesome Wike on Thursday February 22 described the Nigerian Press as Beacon of Hope in National Development.
This assertion by the Minister as was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Emmanuel Tortiv, the Principal press secretary to the office of the most senior director in the Federal Capital Territory, was made at the 2024 National Security Conference organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in collaboration with the New National Star Newspapers which took place at NAF Centre in Jahi District, Abuja.
The Minister who was represented by the Most Senior Director in FCT, Dr. Udoh Samuel Atang said the collaboration between the New National Star and the leadership of NUJ is a clear demonstration of the Nigerian Media working hard to contribute their quota to national discourse aimed at proffering solutions to our common challenges.
Barrister Wike said, "... in a nation as vast and as diverse as ours, security challenges often loom large, threatening the peace and stability of our society. It is during such times that the press emerges as a beacon of hope,"
"The media serves as the eyes and the ears of the public, uncovering stories that would otherwise remain shrouded in darkness. Through diligent investigative journalism, reporters bring to light issues of crime and terrorism that undermine our nation's security fabric."
He went further to describe the press as watchdogs of the society who have held those in power accountable to the people for their actions and inactions.
The Minister expressed delight at the in-roads made by his administration in the Territory in addressing recent surge in security threats that confronted the residents through kidnapping epidemic that swept across Nigeria and growing incidents of one-chance.
He maintained that such multi-faceted approach yielded positive results with the combination of robust law enforcement measures as well as proactive community engagements initiatives.
"We have prioritised community-oriented policing approaches, fostering trust and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. My tour of the six area councils has galvanised the populace and reassured them that they are not alone in this fight to safeguard their lives and property" stated the Minister.
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He concluded his address with the hope of using the suggestions from the conferences to mobilise more resources towards making the Territory safer and more prosperous for all Nigerians.
Earlier in their separate remarks, the NUJ President, Dr. Chris Isiguzo and the Editor-in-Chief of the New National Star Newspapers, Dr. Obinna Nwachukwu said the conference was born out of the necessity to address lingering security challenges in Nigeria with the view to finding permanent solutions.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Obinna said each zone of the Country was confronted with peculiar security challenges.
He said "In the south-south, it is crude oil theft, oil bunkering, sea piracy and cybercrime otherwise called yahoo-yahoo. In the south-east it is the menace of the now infamous unknown gunmen.
"In the South-west it is kidnapping, ritual killings, hatching of human parts, farmers-herders' crises and armed robbery. In the north-east it is book-haram/terrorism, indigene settler wars. North-west is kidnapping while North-Central is farmers-herders' crises as well as kidnappings amongst other crimes."
Centered on National Security and Development, a keynote address was presented by the former Inspector-General of Police and present Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase who was represented by Dr. Shamsu Yahaya.
Other Speakers present at the event included Ambassador Godknows Igali, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Federal University of Technology Akure and Dr. Dili Ezugha of the Nigerian Press Council who represented the Minister of Information.
The Chief of staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila was equally represented.
The Minister's comment was contained in a statement signed by Mr. Emmanuel Tortiv, the Principal press secretary to the office of the most senior director.
