The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthen security cooperation with the United States (U.S.) in protecting lives and property, and restoring security across the country.

This followed a plenary session of the Nigeria – United States Joint Working Group to address the Country of Particular Concern (CPC) designation of Nigeria, held at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

This is contained in a statement issued by Malam Rabiu, Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Information and National Orientation in Abuja, yesterday.

In the statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said that the engagement was part of sustained efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s security partnerships and deliver tangible results for citizens.
“This is the third high-level engagement with senior U.S. officials since November 2025. It shows that our partnership is active, serious, and focused on outcomes that matter to Nigerians.
“This bilateral partnership reflects not only our shared commitment to religious freedom and civilian protection, but also a mature strategic relationship grounded in trust, candour, and shared responsibility.
“Cooperation between Nigeria and the U.S. has led to real operational gains.

“Our military and security agencies are working closely with U.S. partners through intelligence sharing and operational coordination.”

According to the minister, it also strengthened ongoing operations, including Operation Hadin Kai in the North East and Operation Fasan Yamma.
He added that the U.S. had committed to the timely delivery of outstanding military equipment, including drones, helicopters, platforms, spare parts, and support systems procured over the past five years.
“We want Nigerians to know that this partnership is working. These efforts are not abstract. They are yielding results, and they will continue to do so”.

On domestic security measures, the Minister recalled that President Bola Tinubu had formally declared national security emergencies in vulnerable and high-risk areas.

He also authorised intensified joint operations, and directed the sustained deployment of security forces to priority locations.

“Nigeria is acting decisively. Security agencies have clear instructions to protect communities and respond swiftly to threats.

“The Federal Government is strengthening early-warning systems and developing a national database to provide accurate and verifiable figures on deaths and casualties linked to violence.

“This will give us a single, trusted source of data to guide decisions, improve accountability, and sharpen our security response. Justice remains a key pillar of the government’s security strategy.

“The Ministry of Justice, the DSS, and the Nigeria Police Force are actively investigating and prosecuting terrorism cases. Violence will not only be met with force, but with justice and accountability,” the minister added.
He urged Nigerians to remain patient and supportive as the security reforms continue.
“Our responsibility is to keep Nigerians informed and reassured. The work being done today is to ensure a safer country tomorrow,”  the minister said.

Media practitioners have been urged to adopt modern editing and artificial intelligence tools to inform, educate and inspire society through impactful storytelling for national development.

Ms Sophia Horsfall, General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development at NLNG Ltd., made the call in a statement issued yesterday.

The statement followed a three-day workshop for journalists held in Abuja and organised by Journalism Clinic.

The  32 journalists from various media organisations participated in the workshop titled: ‘NLNGChangeYourStory’.

The training focused on modern video-editing techniques and the application of artificial intelligence tools in newsroom operations.

It provided insights into the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence and digital communication in contemporary journalism.

Horsfall said modern tools could enable real-time reporting, expand audiences beyond borders and foster meaningful engagement across platforms.

“Journalism is a calling that informs, educates and influences society,” she said.

She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained to amplify their professional impact.

Horsfall urged journalists to express optimism reflecting NLNG’s vision of being globally competitive while improving lives sustainably.

She highlighted NLNG’s media support initiatives, including the NLNG Prize for Energy Reporting at the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence.

Also speaking, Ms Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku, NLNG’s Manager, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs, said the company deliberately invested in raising media standards.

She said the workshop addressed newsroom pressures such as speed, verification, audience trust and relevance.

“Our support strengthens a resilient media ecosystem that produces accurate journalism capable of shaping public understanding and national progress,” she said.

A Digital Communication Specialist, Mr Dan Mason, who facilitated the workshop, said Artificial Intelligence would not necessarily cause job losses.

He said AI would instead lead to significant job changes globally.

Mason explained that unlike the internet, which disrupted information distribution, AI directly affects content creation.

“It will lead to job changes without a shadow of doubt,” he said.

He added that when properly harnessed, AI could support journalism with greater efficiency and productivity.

Mason said: “When journalism remains ethically in control, AI can be a great force for good.

“I believe we should use AI positively to make our jobs better.” 

President Bola Tinubu has charged the newly inaugurated chairman and commissioners of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) to uphold equity, diligence and patriotism in national appointments.

The president gave the charge after administering the oath of office on the FCC leadership at the State House, Abuja.

Tinubu described the commission as central to Nigeria’s unity and stability, urging its leadership to reflect the country’s diversity and complexity in all actions.

He stressed that the FCC’s core mandate is to promote equity in public service appointments and ensure that every section of the country feels a sense of belonging.

“What you represent here today is the conscience of our nation.

” What you are being assigned to do is to promote and stabilise the conscience of this country,” the president said.

He urged the commissioners to be fair, diligent, committed and patriotic in carrying out their responsibilities to the nation.

Tinubu affirmed that Nigeria has the human resources, capacity and divine endowment needed to build a strong and prosperous nation.

He challenged the commissioners to see their appointment as a call to service rather than personal privilege.

“We have the human resources, the ability, the capacity and the endowment from God to build our country,” he said.

The president urged them to constantly reflect on their individual contributions to national development, unity and stability.

Borrowing from former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, Tinubu urged the commissioners to focus on what they can do for Nigeria.

He said: “What can you do for this country to make it greater now that you have been inaugurated?”

Tinubu said the success of the FCC in promoting inclusiveness and fairness rests squarely on the conduct of its leadership.

Speaking on behalf of the commission, its chairman, Hon. Ayo Omidiran, assured Nigerians that equity and inclusiveness would guide the FCC’s operations.

She expressed confidence that by the end of the current administration, every Nigerian would feel a sense of ownership of the country.

According to Omidiran, Nigeria is endowed with abundant resources and opportunities that must be equitably distributed across all regions.

“The Federal Character Commission was formed by patriotic Nigerians who believed that every good thing must go round the entire federation,” she said.

She pledged that the commission would leverage on Nigeria’s diversity as a source of strength while promoting balanced representation in public institutions.

The FCC chairman gave an assurance that the commission would operate under the guidance of the president to strengthen national unity and public confidence.

“At the end of this tenure, every Nigerian will own Nigeria,” Omidiran said.

She expressed optimism that the commission would fulfill its mandate through commitment and dedication.