Nigeria’s Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for determination, collaboration, and a united effort, to safeguard Nigeria’s territorial integrity and contribute to the restoration of peace and stability in the Sahel region.
The Information Minister made the call at the First International Conference Organized by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to him, Nigeria shares a long and porous border with several Sahelian countries caught up in conflict, thereby making them vulnerable to the effects of the conflict as well as challenging the capacity to maintain effective control over the borders.
“The violence in the Sahel is not an isolated issue, and no single country can tackle it alone. By understanding the root causes, evaluating the impact on our territorial integrity, and implementing strategic policy measures, we can effectively address the challenges posed by this crisis. This gathering is both timely and significant, as it provides us with an invaluable opportunity to delve deeply into the root causes of the violence that has ravaged the Sahel region, examine its impact on Nigeria’s territorial integrity, and explore the options available to policy strategists based on our country’s security architecture,” he said.
Idris added that the Government is committed to addressing the underlying issues both domestically and in collaboration with international partners.
“Nigeria has stepped up its engagement with its neighbours and other regional and international partners. It is strengthening joint military operations such as the Multinational Joint Task Force, and also supporting initiatives that aim to stabilize the Sahel region. On the home front, security has remained a top priority in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and through investment in equipment, manpower, acquisition of more fighting platforms, and intelligence gathering, we are winning the war against insecurity. Since the assumption of office 16 months ago, 12 aircraft have been acquired to boost the fighting capacity of our Armed Forces,” he noted.
Mr. Idris commended the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for its professionalism and integrity in the field of information gathering and dissemination.
“Over the years, NAN has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring that accurate, timely, and credible news reaches every corner of our nation and beyond. Through their dedication, they have informed, educated, and enlightened the citizenry, thereby playing an indispensable role in shaping public opinion and promoting national unity,” he added.
Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Anaba, while commending the Management of News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for bringing dynamism to the Agency and coming up with the inaugural lecture, noted that the Nigerian Media can regulate itself and be more responsible.
The International Conference with the theme: “Interrogating the Root Cause of Violence in the Sahel and Its Impact on Nigeria’s Territorial Integrity,” brought together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to assess and propose solutions to the challenges posed by violence in the Sahel region.
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