The Federal Government has stated it will set up a crisis communication centre that will provide information to counter violent extremist ideology especially in the North-East.
This was disclosed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo when he met with the United States Special Envoy on Counter Terrorism Communication, Rashad Hussain, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Osinbajo stated the center will be critical in defining and disseminating positive narratives that expose the evil of terrorism, and affirming the ultimate victory of good over evil.
The Vice President stated that government was going to put up a campaign involving civil societies, young people and Non-Governmental Organizations that will come together to provide positive counter narratives against those of violent groups like Boko Haram.
Earlier, the United States Envoy stated that based on the American experience and the happenings in other parts of the world, Boko Haram has a strong propaganda advantage in the media that has to be countered.
He observed that the majority of people have already rejected Boko Haram, yet the voices of the minority is being played and re-played in the media causing content imbalance.
As stated by him, Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and President Barack Obama had discussed this issue during their White House meeting earlier in July.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to develop and disseminate content that educates and informs the public about efforts to counter the Boko Haram insurgency, while also projecting Nigeria’s democratic processes. To achieve this, he suggested that social and traditional media be deployed in a credible way.
Also present at the Special Envoy’s meeting with the Vice President were all the three principal members of the Buhari Presidential Communication team: Mr. Femi Adesina (Special Adviser), Mallam Garba Shehu and Mr. Laolu Akande, (Senior Special Assistants).
The Special Envoy was accompanied by other US officials including Ms. Maria E. Bruwer (Deputy Chief of Mission in Nigeria) and Mr. Stevie Hamilton (Deputy Coordinator, Center for Strategic Counter-terrorism Communication at the United States Department of State).