Ahead of 2023, Lai Mohammed Wants Police to Establish Fact-Checking Desks
Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed has stressed the need for the Nigerian Police to establish fact-checking desks at all its commands and divisions.
He made the call at the Annual Conference of Police Public Relations Officers/Strategic Communicators,’ in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to him, the theme of the conference which is “Strengthening Strategic Communication Towards Police Reforms, Security and Integrity of 2023 Elections,” is apt and most appropriate in promoting the need for deploying appropriate public communications strategies as a necessary tool for achieving peace and security.
“The theme of this conference therefore leverages on the importance of cherishing factual information and timely communication, as well as security as a societal imperative, while also analyzing what should be done in the production and distribution of content to encourage cordial Police and public relationships during elections.
“In addition, it seeks to highlight the power of managing information professionally in entrenching the ethos of our democratic experience,” Lai Mohammed said.
The Information and Culture Minister, who was represented who was represented by the Director of Production and Documentation in the ministry, Mr Ibidapo Okunnu, appreciated the efforts of the men and women of the Nigerian Police who often engage in energy-sapping security jobs to maintain law and order in the country.
He said: “To us as a Government, we see the security personnel as partners in progress, in our collective quest and commitment to achieving success in moving the country forward.
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“To this end, I urge the Police Public Relations Officers to work with other information managers to weed out those whose activities, which include spreading fake news, misinformation and hate speech, are undermining professionalism and eroding public confidence in the process and conduct of the 2023 general elections.
“This is necessary for the country to move forward in its quest for economic recovery, stability, and achieving total security.
“We must at all-time note that safeguarding our nationhood and positioning our country and citizens for true development and growth must remain sacrosanct.” wards Police Reforms, Security and Integrity of 2023 Elections,” is apt and most appropriate in promoting the need for deploying appropriate public communications strategies as a necessary tool for achieving peace and security.
Speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of Police, who spoke through Deputy Inspector-General, DIG, l of Police in charge of Southwest, Mr Babatunde Kokumo said the conference became necessary considering the task ahead, during and after the 2023 general elections.
The IGP said that as public relations officers, the officers remain the image makers of the force, hence the need to be well informed in order to communicate strategically while discharging their civic responsibility to the society.
IGP Baba was of the opinion that with the training and retraining of the officers as well as synergy among other security agencies, the 2023 elections would be free, fair, and credible.
In his welcome address, Force Public Relations Officer Mr Muyiwa Adejobi said the conference would equip officers with skills needed in dealing with people, especially during the general elections.
Some police image makers who distinguished themselves in the line of duty, including those from Oyo and Lagos states, Adewale Osifeso and Benjamin Hundeyin were conferred with an award of excellence.
The program began on the 12th of this month with 37 Command Public Relations Officers covering the 36 States of the Federation and FCT, Abuja, 17 Zonal Public Relations Officers, Liaison Officers of Police Formations, as well as the staff officers of the Force Public Relations Department ends on Thursday this week.
By PRNigeria
