By DEJI ABDULWAHAB

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says President Bola Tinubu is backing the establishment of state police because he wants police to move closer to the people.

Idris said this on Thursday when a delegation from the Centre for Crisis Communication, led by its Chairman, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade (rtd), paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja.

According to him, the President is determined to see the reform become a reality once the necessary legal framework is secured.

The minister explained that decentralised policing had become imperative in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

“It is the desire of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that we have State Police as soon as it is practicable in this country. The time has indeed come for that,” he said.

According to him, the President has already appealed to the National Assembly to put the appropriate legislation in place.

The minister explained that strengthening the country’s internal security structure must go hand-in-hand with strengthening national communication systems.

He said that this had become necessary particularly in an era where crises were shaped not only by events but also by the rapid spread of information.

“In today’s digital age, crises are no longer only defined by events, but also by how information spreads as fast as it does.

“Digital innovation is therefore central to timely, accurate and coordinated communication, especially during moments of national importance,” he said.

The minister welcomed the Centre’s proposals, including the establishment of a National Crisis Communication Hub and a Crisis Communication Performance Index.

Idris described them as initiatives that aaligned closely with the Ministry of Information and National Orientation’s core mandate.

He assured the delegation that the Ministry would carefully study the report of the November 2025 National Symposium on Digital Innovation and Crisis Communication and explore areas where its recommendations could complement ongoing Federal Government reforms.

He further emphasised that while artificial intelligence, social media and other digital tools were indispensable in modern communication, they must be deployed responsibly, honestly and patriotically, balancing freedom of expression with national interest and public trust.

Earlier in his remarks, Maj.-Gen. Olukolade (Rtd) expressed appreciation to the minister for his support and encouragement toward advancing crisis communication reforms in Nigeria.

“Your gesture added so much weight and the necessary authority and integrity to a gathering that brought together spokespersons, technology experts, security personnel, scholars and media professionals from across the country.”

Olukolade said that the 2025 National Symposium, produced comprehensive and actionable recommendations to modernise Nigeria’s crisis communication system through stronger infrastructure, enhanced capacity, and inclusive governance.

He appealed for the minister’s endorsement of the proposed National Crisis Communication Hub and the performance index framework, which he described as critical to real-time monitoring, to coordinated responses to misinformation, and to strengthening institutional accountability. (NAN)