The Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa has emphasized that it is important that negative narratives and ideologies of extremist are countered by the authentic media to take any power of influence that criminals utilise.
General Musa was speaking at VON Forum 2025 organised by Voice of Nigeria in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Abuja, with the Theme: “Renewed Hope Agenda: Citizen’s Engagements and National Security”
The voice of Nigeria forum 2025 is an engagement that gives platform for citizens to brainstorm on national issues especially the matter of security inorder to profer solutions to contemporary challenges that the nation is facing.
Speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa said it is critical to counter negative narratives because information is critical for security and the media plays a key role in bringing understanding of issues to citizens as well as countering falsehood.
According to the Chief of Defence Staff, it is important that all citizens rally round the security forces and always bear in mind that if the armed forces and other security agencies fail, it is the failure of a nation and there would be no other place for the millions of Nigerians to call home.
“First and foremost, we must look at ourselves as Nigerians, and nobody will change Nigeria if it wasn’t for Nigerians. If you sit down to think that any other person will come from somewhere and liberate your country, then you should think twice hence it’s very important for citizens to renew their agenda as citizens, Citizens make up your country. It is citizens that will uplift the country to where they want it to be”
“That’s why I want to appeal to Nigerians, support your armed forces, support your government. Because without your support, it’s not possible to succeed. National security, citizenship, everybody has a role to play. It is when we come together to uphold this, that this country will thrive”
He appreciated voice of Nigeria, under the visionary leadership of its Director General Mallam Jibri Mbaba Ndanchi for convening what he termed as ” timely and strategic forum”.
Olusola Akintonde