Dani--Ali,Minister Of Defence
As part of efforts to put an end to the incessant communal clashes that have led to the death of many Nigerians, the Federal Government has ordered security agencies in the country to put a stop to crises that have the potential to threaten the peace and security of Nigeria.
The order is coming on the heels of the alleged killing of 48 people by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali,who said this at a three-day seminar on Information Management in Crisis Situations in Nigeria, added that the security of lives and property of citizens remained top priority on President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda
He added that the Fderal Government has ordered security agencies in the country to crush all crises that could lead to the breakdown of law and order.
The minister stated that the Federal Government would no longer tolerate unpatriotic acts that were capable of undermining the present administration’s efforts in entrenching sanity in the polity.
According to him, “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari’s number one priority is to ensure the security of lives and property of its citizens, guarantee a secure environment for socio-economic activities to thrive without hindrance. To this end, all security agencies in Nigeria have been called upon to crush and deter the threats of crisis and conflict that have potential to disrupt peace and security of our country”.
He continued, “Our security and response agencies are constantly engaged in the essential tasks required for meeting these internal security objectives, our government will not relent in this primary objective”.
Dan-Ali hailed efforts of the troops and their commanders in the various theatres of operations at making sure Nigerian territories were not only secured but that they were conducive for socio-economic activities to thrive.
He assured the Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies that the Buhari led administration was committed to their welfare, adding despite the prevailing economic condition in the country, efforts were in top gear towards improving the capacity of security and response agencies to discharge their duties effectively and efficiently.
He posited that the seminar came at the right time, adding that it would facilitate a robust engagement between information managers in the security and disaster management sector and the media.
The officers from the various security and response agencies, he further posited would not only find a common ground to learn new skills and share experiences but that it would also help to build capacity of one another as it concerns information management.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Centre for Crisis Communication, Yusuf Anas, stated that the seminar was one of the centre’s intervention in crisis management in Nigeria.
The centre, the Executive Secretary explained believed in developing and nurturing a symbiotic relationship between information managers and the media in managing information during crisis situations.
In his words, “The centre is evolving proactive measures and systematic approach to crisis communication aimed at filling existing communication gaps. One such gap identified by the centre is the occasional unsavoury relationship with the media by the security and response agencies in times of crisis. The centre believes that peace and security are very essential for Nigeria’s socio-economic development”.
He disclosed that the seminar would be a regular feature in its calendar for information managers in the country.
