From Victor Osula, Abuja
The Federal Government has restated its commitment to fostering stronger collaboration and mutual understanding between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the civilian population as part of efforts to enhance national security and unity.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of the Civil-Military Relations Conference organised by the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam, the Minister described the conference as a “significant milestone” in Nigeria’s journey toward a more inclusive and participatory security framework.
“The reality we face today is uncomfortable but undeniable. A trust deficit exists between the military and many segments of the Nigerian population.
“This perception—whether rooted in history, misinformation, or isolated incidents—poses a threat to our national unity and stability,” Nnam said.
“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, protection, and progress,” he added.
Nnam called on the media to play a strategic role in countering misinformation and fostering responsible reporting, while assuring that the Ministry was ready to work with the Defence Headquarters, civil society organisations, and the media to implement the resolutions 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.
He expressed confidence that the conference would help pave the way for a more secure, united, and resilient Nigeria.
The conference, themed “Winning Hearts and Minds: Non-Kinetic Approaches to National Security,” focused on bridging the gap between the military and civilian population through dialogue, community engagement, civic education, media sensitisation, and humanitarian cooperation.
