Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina has said that rising insecurity is no longer an issue in Nigeria as the situation has since been controlled irrespective of what western nations say.
Adesina made the assertion at a Three-Day strategic communication conference for Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) state commandants of the provosts of training institutes and public relations officers tagged ‘Managing Sensitive Conflict Communication Amidst Rising Insecurity for Organisational Development, yesterday in Abuja.
He said that insecurity is no longer rising in Nigeria alluding to the theme of the conference to which he said “To a large extent, there is control of the security situation in Nigeria irrespective of what western nations said about it, we know that that is not exactly the truth. Our security agencies have a firm grip on the security situation in Nigeria.”
Stressing the role of synergy among PROs in the security sector, the special adviser noted the pivotal role of effective and strategic communication in managing sensitive conflict communication and the importance of taking seriously the public relations office by granting officers holding such positions access to their information and their bosses at all times.
“Many organisations relegate their public relations offices and officers and only remember them when they are in trouble but that should not be the case. I must say that the NSCDC PTO is doing very well and I know that must be because his superior has granted him access hence he draws his strength from the leadership of the corps.
“Unless a public relations manager has access, he or she cannot perform well because that is how to manage strategic and sensitive information so you must have confidence in the person in your public relations unit, if you don’t, you will fail,” Adesina warns.
Commandant General, NSCDC, Associate Professor, Ahmed Audi, noted the aptness of the theme of the conference which “cannot be farther than appropriate as it speaks eloquently to the security challenges of our dear country.”