By Collins Yakubu-Hammer
The Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Malam Jibrin Ndace has offered the organisation’s platform to the Nigeria Police to address misinformation, disinformation and fake news concerning security in the country.
Ndace disclosed this when he and his management team paid a visit to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun on Thursday in Abuja.
The VON boss commended Egbetokun for demonstrating quality leadership in steering the ship of the Nigeria Police.
Ndace added that his team was at the Force Headquarters to identify with the police and Kayode in particular.
According to him, it is easier for some people to look at the Nigeria Police from an uninformed perspective.
Ndace said that police officers have heavy wounds in the course of providing security for Nigerians, stressing that most of them cover their wounds with uniforms that the public cannot see.
“We are here to commend you and your men on the reforms you are making to make the force better in delivering on its mandate.
“VON will be deliberate and unapologetic in shaping the narrative of Nigeria, Nigerians, Africa and Africans.
“We want to offer VON platforms to the Nigeria Police to educate the word in eight language (English, French, Arabic, Hausa, Igbo, Fulfulde, Yoiruba and Swahili) of the good works the police is doing in the country.
“We want to work with you to address disinformation, misinformation, lies and fake news about Nigeria and the Nigeria Police.
“This is because, we are in the era of misinformation, disinformation and fake news about Nigeria, our security and the Police.
“President Bola Tinubu has given us the marching order to deliver on our mandate, and we will be deliberate and unapologetic in doing so.
“We support your work unconditionally and will continue to support the Police,” Ndace said.
Responding, Egbetokun thanked Ndace for appreciating police officers who are making sacrifices, protecting lives and property, and maintaining law and order.
The Police boss particularly appreciated Ndace and his management team for offering VON platforms to the Nigeria Police to showcase the good works the force is doing.
According to him, VON plays a good role in shaping public opinion and promoting national unity.
“We recognised the importance of free and independent press in a democractic society, and we are committed to this effort.
“We, however, are worried about the spread of misinformation to damage Nigerian Institutions and to project us negatively to the world.
“I am happy with the effort VON is making to combat fake news, misinformation about Nigeria and Nigerians. Our two organisations shares common goal to serve the Nigerian people.
“We are committed and looking forward for ways of strengthen our partnership, especially with regards of writing accurate and timely information to the members of the public.
“We are open to suggestions and feedback on how we can better improve our services to the Nigerian people through collaboration,” Egbetokun said.
The police boss explained that VON’s visit to the Headquarters of Nigeria Police has kick-started a partnership and synergy that is going to be beneficial. (NAN)