By Okosun Dennis
The Commandant of Police Training School, Ikeja, DCP Musa Yusuf Garba has said that the country is not only combating insecurity challenge but also facing wrong insecurity reportage by various media organisations.
He observed that the media has downplayed on the successes of security agencies particularly the Police as their efforts is either under-reported or twisted to fit in the narratives of those who are harbingers of hate speech and media abuse with a view to undermining the collective efforts of citizens to leave in peace, harmony and humility.
He spoke at the maiden edition of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) Awards and Dinner held at the Guest House of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council, Alausa-Ikeja, Lagos recently.
Represented by SP Sani Muhammad, he noted that the country needs patriotic individuals, groups and associations who could deploy their professional expertise to counter such negative narratives in the public domain.
Advising members of the Security News Association, added, “This is where your National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) should distinguish themselves as a conglomerate of professional media experts to change the situation.”
“There is also the need to use your platform to promote and create more awareness about the activities and successes of the Nigerian Police in its quest to rid the country of criminals.”
“Online platforms and particularly social media are very effective tools in the expression of opinions but many people have abused the privilege, hence professionals and experts in this area like you should deploy your expertise to help in creating awareness and security consciousness among the citizenry which may improve citizen participation in building content and value-based society,” DCP Garba reiterated.
The Chairman of the occasion, the former National Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, who was honoured with “NAOSNP Champion of the Voiceless” award, emphasized that “Security is everyone’s business despite the challenges of insecurity across the country. I’m very optimistic our great country will come out strong.”
Also clinching NAOSNP awards were the former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar; AIG Zone 2, Ahmed Iliyasu; Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu; his Imo and Osun State counterparts, CP Isaac Olutayo Akinmoyede and CP Adie Jeremiah Undie.
Equally honoured on the night were the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Usman Musa Abdullahi; Commander of Inspector General of Police-Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari; Commandant of Police Training School Ikeja, DCP Musa Yusuf Garba; General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Engr Olajide Oduwoye; the Chief Executive Officer of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun; and the Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee, Lagos state, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo.
Others include, the Chairman of PCRC Victoria Island, Mr. Matthew Ibadin; Chairman of Silicon Valley Nigerian Economic Development SV-NED Inc.; HRH Queen Mother Chief Mrs. Amina Temitope Ajayi F.I.I.M; Chief Security Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr Peter Okoloh; CEO of Evergreen Protective Services, Chief Anthony Gasby Ayoh; CEO of Garu Technologies Limited, Alhaji Lukman Garu and Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba.
Expressing her joy, the Vice Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba shared an important prediction “in the next 12 years, Nigeria would be a wonderful place to be”.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the President of NAOSNP, Mr Samson Oki noted that the association works in cooperation with all the national security agencies and corporate security organizations with a view to promoting security and checkmating the spread of fake news in the social media space.
However, he admonished newsmen especially investigative journalists to ensure they check and balance their stories for “equity and fairness”.
In recent times, the event stood out as one of the best organised in a cozy ambience security award in year 2020.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/police-boss-decries-wrong-security-reportage-as-barr-ubani-grabs-naosnp-awards/
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