Tinubu not taking security issues lightly — Shettima

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September 2, 2024 8:03 pm

Vice President Kashim Shettima has assured that President Bola Tinubu is very interested in the security situation in Nigeria and is not taking it lightly.

He made the assertion on Monday during an audience with the leadership of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja

He called for regional and collective efforts to address the insecurity in West Africa’s Sahel region, observing that the security situation in the Sahel region has significant implications for Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

The Vice President emphasised the importance of collaborative action and called for wider support for NAN’s upcoming international lecture on Sahel security.

He stated: “The international lecture NAN is organising is very timely, especially on the issue of insecurity in the Sahel. The security situation in the nation is something that the President is much interested in and is not taking it lightly.”

Shettima expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of the conference, saying, “I believe that with the calibre of people that will grace the lecture, you will come up with a lot of perspectives on how to address the insecurity in the Sahel in a holistic way.”

The Vice President also commended NAN for its crucial role in Nigeria’s media landscape. “Your organisation plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s media landscape, helping to bridge the information gap and shape public discussion on national issues,” he said.

Earlier, NAN Managing Director, Ali Mohammed Ali, disclosed the theme of the conference, “Insecurity in the Sahel (2008-2024): Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges: Genesis, Impacts, and Options.”

He announced that the lead speaker at the lecture billed for September 25, 2024, would be Mohamed Ibn Chambas, former Chairperson of the ECOWAS Commission.

According to him, the conference is part of NAN’s efforts to expand its role beyond news dissemination to actively contributing to national discourse and problem-solving.

“NAN is organising its first international lecture as part of the media’s role to expand the frontiers of knowledge and find solutions to problems,” Ali explained.

He outlined several initiatives aimed at enhancing NAN’s reach and effectiveness, including the introduction of vernacular broadcasting, starting with a Hausa portal, plans to reopen international offices, particularly the London bureau, and efforts to intensify coverage across all 109 senatorial districts in Nigeria.

“No one knows Nigeria better than NAN,” Ali added, noting the agency’s extensive network of correspondents and offices across the country.

Ali also revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s Xinhua News Agency during his current visit to China to further expand NAN’s international partnerships.

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