FG SOLICITS CITIZENS COOPERATION ON WAR ON TERROR, BUILDING OF NATIONAL CONSCIOUSNESS. .... Parleys Nigeria Institute of Public Relations

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, receives NIPR Pres. Mukhtar Sirajo

"Stop patronising touts or uniformed officers in processing their passports because their actions are illegal, unwarranted as they are only interested in making money out of the people." Aregbesola warns public. 

....Expresses readiness of the Interior Ministry to partner with relevant stakeholders, particularly the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in sensitising the Public and channelling their energies towards national development.

The Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf  Aregbesola has solicited for the understanding and cooperation of Nigerians in the current war against terror by the Federal Government.

Ogbeni Aregbesola made the plea on Tuesday, 2nd August 2022, while receiving a delegation of the executive members of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, in his office, led by its President, Mallam Mallam Muktar Subair.

The Minister, while assuring Nigerians that every thing is being done to curtail insurgency and all forms of terror, reiterated that it is because the terrorists in the North East are seriously being dealt with and, their perceived visibility being severely degraded that some of their escapees are running to other places. He however assured that the Federal Government is bent on taking necessary steps to arrest the situation.

He therefore appealed for cooperation in terms of reporting any information capable of jeopardizing citizen's wellbeing or breach of peace to the nearest security agencies around them be it NSDC, FRSC, DSS, Police etc.

"Don't keep any secret information about security to yourself, report to the nearby security agencies," he charged.

Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola also used the occasion to announce the intention of the Federal government to bring sanity to the issuance and renewal of passport and determination to eliminate curruption associated with the travelling document. 

According to him, citizens should visit the Immigration Service Portal to register online for issuance of passport saying the process is not only seamless while avoidance of face- to- face contact of the new scheme is geared towards enhancing transparency and corruption elimination.

He equally warned members of the public to stop patronising touts or uniformed officers in processing their passports because their actions are illegal, unwarranted as they are only interested in making money out of the people. 

On measures being taken to fast track passport procurement, he assured that more Data Capturing Centres will be opened across the six geo-political zones of the country to ease the difficulties being faced during the processing of e-passport.

As part of concerted effort of the Federal Government to secure the lives and property of Nigerians and ensure positive public perception of its activities, Ogbeni Aregbesola, also expressed the readiness of his Ministry to partner with relevant stakeholders, particularly the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in sensitising the Public and channelling their energies towards national development.

He hinted that specific areas of collaboration would include training of officers and men of the Ministry and its agencies on effective communication, Public Relations and prompt reportage of the Ministry's activities to the general public to sustain its positive image.

While not degrading the noble role of Journalists in information  dissemination and promoting positive  narratives on government's efforts' he is of the opinion that the NIPR is most suitable for balanced information, interactive and perception management and developmental information, which are dearly needed at this critical time of the nations development; especially now that our country is faced with serious security challenges which will  be better solved through news that inspire and unite us as one nation with one destiny.

"The role of your Institute on national development through rapid promotion and development of perception, as well as management of communication, cannot be overemphasized," Aregbesola added.

Earlier, President of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mallam Muktar Sirajo has stated that the Association was in the  Ministry to seek collaboration and partnership in view of the revolutionary changes and giant strides being made by present administration through the Ministry and its agencies. 

He commended the Minister & his team for their gallant efforts at addressing the current security threats in the country.

Afonja Ajibola

DD (Press &PR)

August 3, 2022.

[8/3, 12:50 PM] +234 806 314 2577: L- R The President of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations Mal Sirajo Muktar, the Hon Minister of Interior Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, during the Courtesy visit in his Office, in Abuja on 2nd August 2022.