President Tinubu’s led administration has constantly shown commitment to promoting national cohesion for inclusive governance.
The Ministry of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris asserted this on Wednesday, 24th January 2024 in a paper titled “Promoting National Cohesion Through Strategic Communication” at the maiden National Security Course for Psychological Operations and Strategic Communication organized by the Defence Intelligence Agency in Abuja.
He said every segment of Nigerian society is represented in his government in line with the Federal Character Principle.
Represented by the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu added that the President’s effort to address Nigeria’s challenges adopted a comprehensive strategy and policy implementation to promote inclusivity, equitable representation, and social cohesion.
He also emphasized the need for shared national values, promotion of dialogue, and acknowledgment and respect for the nation’s diversity as crucial steps toward building and maintaining national cohesion in Nigeria.
Let me hasten to state here that in his profound commitment to national cohesion, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) swore to uphold the constitution. He is dutifully implementing its provisions to ensure that no part of this country feels alienated. This is amply demonstrated in his appointments across Ministries, departments, and Agencies. His vision is rooted in promoting unity, understanding, and inclusive governance across the country. President Tinubu’s government is not going to operate in an echo chamber!
The Minister while recounting the nation’s historic civil war between 1967 and 1970, the amalgamation of the Northern and the Southern Protectorates by Sir Lord Lugard in 1914, religious differences, and ethnic diversity occasioned by some interest groups, urges the media to play an active role in promoting national cohesion by toning down divisive rhetoric and weaving national narratives to strengthen cultural and religious unity in Nigeria.
Media, if not managed responsibly, can either reinforce stereotypes and divisions or contribute positively to understanding and cohesion. Biased reporting or inflammatory content can escalate tensions.
“Misinformation and disinformation mainly propagated on Social Media are some of the major challenges we are contending with in his country. Naysayers are adept at creating narratives that amplify existing fault lines while setting one community against the other. This deliberate effort to sow discord can have grave consequences on national cohesion
Idris stressed that the Ministry of Information under his watch will significantly engage with tech companies to ensure content management with a balanced approach to both freedom of expression and guard against potential harms on the Social Media midst of poverty that is currently ravaging the country, even as he expressed optimism on measures already taken to ameliorate sufferings.
The Ministry will align its content regulatory framework with internationally recognized standards to ensure consistency with global best practices. This alignment reflects a commitment to a regulatory approach that respects diverse perspectives while addressing potential challenges
Economic empowerment also acts as a catalyst for wealth redistribution, fostering social equity. When citizens from various socio-economic backgrounds have access to opportunities, it mitigates feelings of marginalization and contributes to a more equitable society.
It is therefore in the realization of this objective that economic empowerment and poverty alleviation are being given prominence in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR)