The federal government has restated its resolve to strengthen mutual understanding and collaboration between the Nigerian Armed Forces and civilians as part of broader efforts to enhance national security and unity.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Civil-Military Relations Conference organised by the Defence Headquarters on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the time has ripe for Nigerians to see the military as an integral part of the national family, a force for good, protection, and progress.
Idris, who was represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary, Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, described the conference as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s journey towards a more inclusive and participatory security framework.
The conference, themed: “Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security,” focused on bridging the growing gap between the military and the civil populace through dialogue, community engagement, civic education, media sensitisation, and humanitarian cooperation.
“The reality we face today is uncomfortable but undeniable,” he said. “A trust deficit exists between the military and many segments of the Nigerian population. This perception—based on history, misinformation, or isolated incidents—threatens our national unity and stability.
“It is time for Nigerians to see the military not as an occupying force, but as an integral part of our national family—a force for good, for protection, and for progress.”
The minister stressed that building trust requires deliberate efforts to reshape the public narrative around the Armed Forces by telling stories of sacrifice, community service, and lives saved.
He also called on the media to play a strategic role in countering misinformation and promoting responsible reporting.
According to him, his ministry was ready to partner with the Defence Headquarters, civil society, and the media to implement the outcomes of the conference.
“We must build stronger bridges of interaction through town hall engagements, joint projects, civic education, and institutional frameworks that bring the military closer to the heartbeat of the nation,” he said.
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