Effective, strategic communication will curtail insecurity ― NIPR

THE National President of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Malam Sirajo Mukhtar Zubairu has said an effective communication remains a major tool to curtail the rampant cases of terrorism, insurgency and other security challenges facing Nigeria.

He made the assertion during a Panel Discussion on “Nigeria Security Challenges: the PR Solutions,” organised in honour of a Dinner by the graduating Masters in Public Relations (MPR) Class of 2018/2019 session of Bayero University Kano (BUK), held at the Palace Chinese Restaurant.

He advised Public Relations practitioners to “intellectualise” their approach while handling issues that have to do with security challenges and crisis management.

According to him, the military alone can not subdue security challenges, particularly, the issue of Boko Haram which is ideology-based.

He, however, stressed the need for using effective and strategic communication skills to deflate the ideology of insurgents so as to block them from brainwashing the people.

Speaking at the occasion, the immediate-past spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), insisted that contrary to the Boko Haram claims of fighting for Islam, they remain nothing but, “criminals, rapists and murders.”

He recalled how he used strategic communication skills in countering Boko Haram narratives, while he was the spokesman of the Nigeria Army, affirming that the knowledge he acquired from BUK, gave him the leverage to serve Nigeria and the Nigeria Army to the best of his ability.

Prof. Umaru Pate of Faculty of Communications, BUK, in his contribution urged Public Relations practitioners to always take into cognizance the divergent cultural, religious, social and ethnic backgrounds of Nigerians while carrying out their duties.

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The Assistant Commissioner of Police and Public Relations guru, Baba Mohammed, however, called on the Public Relations practitioners within the security circle to always strive to be ahead of criminals in terms of upgrading their knowledge of the Social Media.

His words: “Kidnapping has become the worsening security challenge in Nigeria today,” adding that kidnappers, insurgents and other hoodlums now took to the social media to perpetuate their nefarious activities.

According to him, criminals and insurgents have resorted to using social media platforms to recruit members, thereby the need for PR practitioners to do remain conversant and active in the use of social media platforms to perform their duties.

The chairman, organising committee of the dinner, Mohammed Baba Kandi, in his welcome address, then appealed to NIPR to grant 50 per cent discount charges for MPR graduates who wish to join the institute.