March 27, (THEWILL) – As part of efforts to tackle insecurity in Imo, the State’s Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has unveiled the “Information Not Disinformation” campaign.
The campaign was unveiled by the NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mr. Matthew Ovye, at the Command’s headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
The “Information Not Disinformation” campaign is the brainchild of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, aimed at effective partnerships with security agencies in the state to fight insecurity through responsive journalism and accurate reporting.
The Commandant, who commended the chapel for the “apt initiative”, said it couldn’t have come at a better time than now when the state is grappling with the effects of misinformation and disinformation in the fight against insecurity.
He expressed confidence that the campaign will correct disinformation so as to enhance economic activities for the growth and development of the state.
According to him, the Corps remained committed to the protection of critical national assets, using its anti-vandal and agro rangers units as well as the special intelligence squad of the Commandant-General (CG), Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
He thanked the CG and the Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodinma, for their continued support, which has created an enabling environment for the activities of security agencies, the media and other stakeholders in the fight against insecurity.
“Security is everybody’s business and our successes cannot be complete without the support of the media, especially the Correspondents’ Chapel.
“My CG has asked me to convey his regards to you and his commitment to correct information dissemination facilitated by your Chapel.
“We have continued to collaborate with other security agencies and I can assure you that we are winning the war against insecurity,” he said.
He, however, urged Journalists in the state to partner with the Corps as it carries out its “Safe Schools” project to secure pre-secondary schools across the state.
Speaking, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Chinonso Alozie, thanked the Commandant for his “ebullient response to challenges of insecurity in the state”.
He expressed the Chapel’s readiness for effective collaborations for the success of the campaign and assured the Corps of the Chapel’s commitment to professional reporting.
“We are currently sensitising security agencies in the state on the need for effective partnerships for more responsive journalism, which aims to inform rather than misinform or disinform the public.
“Soon, when we conclude the sensitisation visits, we will proceed with an official launch of the ‘Information Not Disinformation’ campaign and the era of misinformation by quacks will be in the past,” he said.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a partnership letter to the Commandant by Alozie and the unveiling of the campaign.
Those present at the event include executives of the Chapel and management staff of the NSCDC in Imo State, among others.
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