UYO — Public Relations Officers of security and response agencies in Akwa Ibom State have resolved to strengthen collaboration, intelligence sharing and strategic communication as part of efforts to promote peace, security and community safety across the state.
The resolution was reached at a strategic stakeholders’ meeting of the Military, Police and Paramilitary Public Relations Officers’ Forum (MILPOPPROF), held in partnership with the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund (AKSTF) recently.
Addressing participants at the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, Col. Kingsley Umoh (Rtd.), underscored the importance of cooperation among security spokespersons, stressing that effective communication and information management have become indispensable tools in addressing contemporary security challenges.
According to him, security threats have become increasingly complex and diverse, making it necessary for security and response agencies to work together and leverage public information systems to improve service delivery and enhance public safety.
Col. Umoh disclosed that the establishment of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Resource Centre (PEACrEc) would further strengthen intelligence gathering, conflict management and coordinated security communication in the state.
He described MILPOPPROF as a non-profit, non-political and non-religious body of professional information managers established more than a decade ago to foster a coordinated approach to military-civil relations through effective public relations and public information management.
The AKSTF boss noted that PEACrEc’s objectives include promoting peaceful coexistence among stakeholders, particularly security and response agencies, through strategic communication and public relations initiatives.
He further revealed that the Centre has earned the support and endorsement of notable organisations, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the African Public Relations Association (APRA), the International Public Relations Association (IPRA) and the ECOWAS Commission.
Umoh recalled that PEACrEc’s annual West African Conference on Security Communications and Public Information Management (WAFCON) received endorsements from ECOWAS, NIPR, APRA and IPRA in 2017, helping to advance security communication objectives across the West African sub-region.
MILPOPPROF currently comprises Public Relations representatives from 13 security and response agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Correctional Service, Federal and State Fire Services, and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The forum also maintains active chapters in Lagos, Kaduna and Akwa Ibom States.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Nigerian Army, DSS, Federal Fire Service, Akwa Ibom State Fire Service, NSCDC and the Nigeria Immigration Service, among others.
The meeting concluded with the inauguration of a four-member committee tasked with coordinating the affairs of the forum in collaboration with the Akwa Ibom State Security Trust Fund, as members reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing security communication and sustaining peace in Akwa Ibom State.
