Fight against terrorism yielding results – NSA

By Ameh Ejekwonyilo and Bode Olagoke, Abuja

National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), has said Nigeria was making progress in its efforts to end insurgency in the country.
He stated this yesterday at a two-day workshop on security consciousness and awareness for journalists in Abuja.
Dasuki, who was represented at the occasion by Ambassador Ola Seyinde, said: “The degree of support and encouragement in the fight against terrorism by many Nigerians is yielding positive results, especially in our effort against Boko Haram criminalities in the North-east.”

The NSA debunked the prediction by some western countries that the forthcoming general elections would make or destroy the country, urging the citizens to cooperate and forge ahead for the greater interest of the nation.
Dasuki decried the attitude of some sections of media and politicians that were “deriding” the government for “selfish interests.”
He urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of the numerous employment opportunities being provided by the government.

Speaking in the same vein, a representative of the Permanent Secretary, Special Services Office, Mr. A.B. Shehu said the workshop is one of the series of initiatives evolved by the federal government to ensure that all government officials and the general public remain security conscious.
Spokesperson of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mrs. Marylyn Ogar, in a presentation titled: “Patriotism and Journalism”, urged journalists to put the interest of the nation above personal gains in the discharge of their duties.
She said: “Journalists should synergise with the government and other stakeholders to effectively manage issues that border on national security.”

Ogar noted that the media and security institutions were the two most critical institutions in the country that should collaborate to tackle insecurity.
The workshop is being organized by the Special Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation in collaboration with training partners from the DSS, Nigeria Police Force, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Fire Service.