Digital innovation critical tool to crisis communication – FG

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has described digital innovation as a central tool to timely, accurate, and coordinated communication, especially during moments of crises or national importance.

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

According to him, crisis communication, using innovative digital approach can control information in a way and manner that is acceptable worldwide.

“We all know that in today’s digital age, crises are no longer only defined by events, but also how information spreads as fast as it does nowadays.

“It is important for us to know that innovation, especially in the digital area, helps a great deal in how we communicate crises positively.

” I am very happy that this centre is really putting an emphasis on that,” Idris said.

He said that digital innovation was, therefore, central to timely, accurate, and coordinated communication, especially during moments of national importance.

“Now, what the centre does aligns closely with the mandate of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, especially in these key areas.

“One, in the promotion of responsible information dissemination.

“Anybody can spread and share information, but what is important is how responsible, how honest, and how patriotic that information is shared for the good of all Nigerians.

“It is not all information that you want to hear, but it must be communicated in a way that is responsible, patriotic, and honest, the minster said.

He said that it also aligned with the mandate of countering misinformation and disinformation.

“We are at a time that we cannot do away with Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital media, the new media, and the social media.

“We must, however, devise ways and means of ensuring that we use these tools responsibly, honestly, and patriotically in the interest of our dear nation.

“Everyone’s rights or your own right should stop where the other person’s own begins.

“In your attempt to spread information, you also have to know that the person consuming that information also has a right over you.

“Responsible use of whatever tool you are using is core in ensuring that you have what is called effective communication,” he said.

He expressed the ministry’s readiness to partner with the NGOs and other civil society organisations like the Centre for Crisis Communication to strengthen national communication framework for the development of the country.

Earlier, Olukolade said that the visit was to request for the minister’s endorsement of the National Crisis Communication Hub as well as the National Perspective Management Index, which is a monthly product of the Centre.

He said that since the establishment of the centre in 2015, it had served as the secretariat for the forum of spokespersons of security and response agencies.

According to him, the centre has continued to support interagency collaboration among the security agencies across the security system and emergency management ecosystem, as well as the response agencies.

“Through research, training, media monitoring and advisory services, the centre has helped institutions to improve preparedness, counter misinformation and maintain public trust during crisis.

“Our commitment to professionalism, evidence-based communication and interagency synergy remains unwavering,” Olukolade said.

He said that the hosting of the National Symposium on Digital Crisis Communication was itself a recommendation from a recent study conducted by the centre’s consultants.

According to him, the symposium was titled, “African Intelligence and Crisis Communication in Nigeria, the Challenges and Prospects”.

“The study provides actionable recommendations for the ministry of information, NITDA and other stakeholders, reinforcing the urgency of strengthening Nigeria’s digital crisis communication architecture.”

He said that the ministry would also find the centre’s latest study very useful.