President Muhammadu Buhari has advised security chiefs in the country to accept wrong doings and apologise, rather than try to cover up minor social transgressions, especially if the public is hurt.
The president who noted that an apology made voluntarily for causing serious harm or for a mistake made is a moral or ethical act as well as an act of good conscience, stressed that the overall goal of an apology is to restore dignity, social harmony and regaining the confidence of the offended.
He gave the advice when state commandants and public relations officers of all formations of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) converged at the corp’s national headquarters in Abuja for a three-day conference to brainstorm on the theme: “Managing Security Sensitive Information and Developing Effective Strategies for a Successful 2023 Election”.
Declaring the conference open, President Buhari, who was represented by his senior special adviser on media and publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, while emphasising that government had raised the bar of security and safety more assuredly than ever before in the country, said; “Don’t try to cover up infractions when you make mistakes, there is a need to accept wrongs, quickly accept it and immediately apologise to the public as this will help get them on your side again and help you regain their confidence.”
He commended security agencies in the country for the fight against insecurity and the resilience and unwavering commitment to the nation’s socio-economic development which he said is only possible in an atmosphere of peace and security.
Buhari who stressed the need for efficient relationship between heads of security formations and their spokespersons added that the best way to manage strategic communication within and among security agencies is by ensuring that information managers have access to their bosses at all times.
To this end, he charged all heads of security agencies to have confidence in the persons managing the public relations affairs of the agencies and to thus give them a sense of belonging to do their job to the best of their ability.
He warned that remembering public relations officers only when in trouble is not the right way to go, adding that it is imperative for communication doors between security agencies, members of the public and the media to be kept open at all times.
On his part, the commandant -general of the corps Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Audi, expressed optimism that the conference would address critical issues that would allay fears, probe challenges and entrench the ability to create ambience of peace and security as 2023 elections draw nearer.
“Sensitivity is part of security architecture; this conference will further deepen our knowledge in the handling of sensitive security information. Yes, it is true that the public has the right to know about our actions, however, their knowing has to be strategic as well for improved operational efficiency going forward,” he said.
Dr Audi added that security agencies also rely on credible information from citizens which help to prevent crimes and manage conflicts.
“Every member of the society has a level of responsibility in ensuring security. Some need to volunteer information, some to provide counseling and some to engage in the theatre of the war itself,” he said, adding that strategic communication channels must be improved upon and sustained to allow the public have confidence in security operatives.
The national president of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr Mukhtar Sirajo, said the training came at a critical time of security challenges that need to be confronted by everyone. He noted that strategic communication is at the center of what public relations represents, adding that communication is a peculiar field that can only be managed by trained persons.
Earlier, the director of public relations, NSCDC, DCC Olusola Odumosu, explained that the forum was to enable participants discuss and proffer new ways of strategically communicating to the public whose expectations from them are high.
He thanked the CG whose administration believes that training and re-training of personnel leads to maximum utilisation and productivity.
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