FG solicits citizens cooperation on war against terrorism, building of national consciousness

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By Palma Ileye

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has solicited for understandingly and cooperation of Nigerians in the current war against terror by the Federal Government.

Aregbesola made the plea yesterday while receiving a delegation of Executive members of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, in his office, Abuja, led by its President Mal. Muktar Sirajo.

The Minister who assured Nigerians that every thing was being done to curtail insurgency and all forms of terror maintained that “it is because the terrorists in the North East are seriously being dealt with and their perceived visibility being severely degraded that some of their escapees are running to other places; but assured that the Federal Government is bent on taking necessary steps to arrest the situation.”

He therefore appealed for cooperation in terms of reporting any information capable of jeopardizing citizen’s wellbeing or breach of peace to the nearest security agencies around them be it NSDC, FRSC. SSS POLICE.

“Don’t keep any secret information about security to yourself , report to the nearby security agencies, ” he charged.

Aregbesola also used the occasion to announce the intention of the Federal government to bring sanity to the issuance and renewal of passport and determination to eliminate curruption associated with the travelling document.

According to him Citizens should visit the Immigration Service Portal to register online for issuance of passport saying the process was not only seamless while avoidance of face- to- face contact of the new scheme was geared towards enhancing transparency and corruption elimination.

He equally warned members of the Public to stop patronising touts or uniformed officers in processing their passports because their actions are illegal, unwarranted, as they were only interested in making money out of the people.

On measures being taken to fast track passport procurement, he assured that more Data capturing Centres will be opened across the six Geo-political zones of the country to ease the difficulties being faced during the processing of e-passport.

As part of concerted effort of the Federal Government to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and ensure positive public perception of its activities, Ogbeni Aregbesola, also expressed the readiness of his Ministry to partner with relevant stakeholders, particularly the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, in sensitising the Public and channelling their energies towards national development

He hinted that specific areas of collaboration would include training of officers and men of the Ministry and its Agencies on effective communication, Public Relations and prompt reportage of the Ministry ‘s activities to the general public to sustain its positive image.

While not degrading the noble role of Journalists in information dissemination and promoting positive narratives on government’s efforts’ he was of the opinion thst the NIPS was most suitable for balanced information, interactive and perception management and developmental information, which were dearly needed at this critical time of the nations development; especially now that our country was faced with serious security challenges which will be better solved through news that inspire and unite us as one nation with one destiny

“The role of your Institute on national development through rapid promotion and development of perception, as well as management of communication, cannot be overemphasized,” Aregbesola added.

Earlier, President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Mallam Muktar Sirajo stated that the Association was in the Ministry to seek collaboration and partnership in view of the revolutionary changes and giant strides being made by present administration through the Ministry and its agencies.

He commended the Minister & his team for their gallant efforts at addressing the current security threats in the country.