NCoS Identifies Disinformation As Greatest Threat To Insecurity Fight In Nigeria

The Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), Imo State has identified disinformation as the greatest problem of Nigeria in the fight against insecurity.

Unveiling the ‘Information Not Disinformation’ campaign being initiated by the Correspondent’s Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Imo State Council in his office on Thursday, the Controller Kingsely Njoku commended the body for thinking towards the holistic partnership.

According to him the ‘Information Not Disinformation’ campaign, is aimed at effective partnerships with security agencies in Imo to fight insecurity through responsive journalism and accurate reporting.

He said that the campaign would help correct wrong impressions about the NCoS and pledged his readiness for productive engagements with the chapel to stem the tide of disinformation in the fight against insecurity.

The Commandant called on the general public to key into the initiative so as to get a better understanding of the activities of security agencies and be better able to put hands on deck in the collective action to end insecurity in Imo, the southeast and Nigeria at large.

He said “Apart from insecurity, the greatest problem in Nigeria is disinformation because while security agencies are doing their best, members of the public are being deceived about our efforts in some sections of the media.”

Njoku expressed appreciation on the partnership because according to him it will go a long way in fighting fake news and further stabilising the society and enhancing development at all levels.

Njoku however stated that the service in Imo was doing a lot in the areas of support for inmates and their reintegration into the larger society through sponsorship of skills trainings and academic pursuits among others.

Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr Chinonso Alozie, thanked the NCoS for their commitment to effective partnerships and assured them that the chapel’s campaign against disinformation would not only attack fake news but also sanitize the image of the service.

He assuted that the campaign would be launched in the state following sensitization visits to security agencies by the Chapel.

He said, “We are currently sensitising security agencies in the state on the need for effective partnerships for a more responsive journalism which aims to inform rather than misinform or disinform the public.”

He said that soon, the Chapel would conclude the sensitisation visits, and proceed with an official launch of the ‘Information Not Disinformation’ campaign to bring to an end the era of misinformation.

A highlight of the event was the presentation of a partnership letter to the controller by Alozie and the unveiling of the campaign.

Among those present at the event were executives of the chapel and management staff of the NCoS in Imo.

The picture showing the Controller NCoS Kingsely Njoku and the management staff with the Executive members of the Correspondent’s Chapel of NUJ, Imo State Council during the official lunch of ‘Information, Not Disinformation’ campaign.