B’Haram: FG plans communication centre to counter propaganda – Osinbajo, The Federal Government has concluded plans to set up a crisis communication centre, which will provide information countering violent extremist ideology especially in the North-East.

B’Haram: FG plans communication centre to counter propaganda – Osinbajo

By Our Reporter  on October 21, 2015   National
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
 The Federal Government has concluded plans to set up a crisis communication centre, which will provide information countering violent extremist ideology especially in the North-East.
 Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made this disclosure when he met with  the US Special Envoy on Counter Terrorism Communication, Rashad Hussain, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
 Osinbajo said  the centre would be critical to define and disseminate positive narratives that expose the evil of terrorism, asserting the ultimate victory of good over evil.
“For some strange reasons, something that appears so completely mindless and almost insane gains currency in a way that gets regular recruits,” expressing dismay that the completely mindless ideology gains the kind of currency that it gains.
 Osinbajo said it would have been understandable if the campaign of the terrorists preaches better life, equity and such other lofty ideas, but “when the narratives of the insurgents have no such hope, it is intriguing that the message  gains any currency.”
Although he noted that there had been those who were lured into participating in terrorist acts for money, he stated nonetheless that “I have seen people who are well-to-do being recruited into terrorism.’’
The Vice President disclosed that government was going to put up a campaign involving civil societies, young people and non-governmental organisations that will come together to provide positive counter-narratives against those of violent groups like Boko Haram.
 Earlier,  Hussain said based on the American experience and happenings in other parts of the world, Boko Haram has a strong propaganda in the media that has to be countered.
 He observed that majority of the people have already rejected Boko Haram but the voices of the minority was being played and re-played in the media causing content imbalance.
 He said 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 audience about efforts to counter Boko Haram insurgency, and projects Nigerian democratic processes as well.
 To achieve this, he suggested that the social and traditional media should be engaged in addition to satellite television among others in a credible way.
 Also, 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 Stevie Hamilton, Deputy Coordinator, Center for Strategic Counter-terrorism Communication at the US Department of State.