President Tinubu Calls For Unity, Religious Tolerance To Boost National Security

President Tinubu calls for unity, religious tolerance to boost national security. The president urged Nigerians to reject narratives that portray the country as intolerant of religious freedom.

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, religious tolerance, and peaceful coexistence to enhance national security and development.

Mr Tinubu made the call at the 4th International Conference of the Centre for Islamic Civilisation and Interfaith Dialogue at Bayero University, Kano.
Mr Tinubu was represented at the event by the minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris.

This was contained in a statement issued by the minister’s special assistant on media, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu commended the Centre and the Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna, for sustaining dialogue that promotes peace and national cohesion.

“This conference continues to uphold the ideals of our nation’s peace and unity through dialogue.
“I am honoured by this invitation, ” the president said.

He described the conference’s focus on the legacy of the late Sheikh Mahmud Abubakar Gummi as timely and instructive.
Mr Tinubu said the renowned Islamic scholar played a significant role in promoting national unity during critical moments in Nigeria’s history.

According  to him, Mr Gummi understood the intersection of faith and politics and worked closely with authorities after independence and the civil war to promote oneness and peaceful coexistence.
The president described Mr Gummi as a distinguished scholar, reformer, and national figure whose influence extended beyond religious circles.

He said Mr Gummi was a teacher, a reformer, an advisor, and a prodigious writer, who mentored generations to believe in the indivisibility of Nigeria, in work and in worship.

Addressing current national challenges, the president urged Nigerians to reject narratives that portray the country as intolerant of religious freedom.
“We must strengthen our resolve for a more united country.
“Recent attempts to misrepresent Nigeria as a nation that undermines religious freedom must be firmly resisted.

“Our national security is tied to our unity, togetherness, and respect for religious diversity; we must forge a united front against those who seek to divide us,” Mr Tinubu said.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property and confronting criminality across the country.

President Tinubu

According to him, his administration was working assiduously to protect life and property and to execute the fight against terror with all that is at the government’s disposal.
He disclosed that over 7,000 trained forest guards have been deployed nationwide to deny criminals access to forest corridors.
He added that efforts were ongoing to entrench community policing through state policing in line with constitutional processes.

Following the declaration of a national security emergency in November 2025, Mr Tinubu said security operations have been expanded and reinforced in states affected by banditry and terrorism.
“We have optimised intelligence-led operations to disrupt and dismantle terrorist and criminal networks,” he said.

The president also highlighted Nigeria’s security cooperation with the United States, stressing that it was focused on counterterrorism and civilian protection while respecting Nigeria’s sovereignty.

“Our security alliance with the United States is strategic, focused on protecting vulnerable communities, and operationally led by Nigerian troops,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to uphold shared values and peaceful coexistence, describing unity as the foundation for lasting peace.

Mohammed Idris Says “Census No Longer Optional For Nigeria, Data Key To Planning”

Mohammed Idris says “Census no longer optional for Nigeria, data key to planning”. The federal government says a national population and housing census is not optional for Nigeria, noting that it is critical to effective planning and sustainable development.

Mohammed Idris, minister of information and national orientation, spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by Aminu Yusuf, chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC).

The minister said accurate data is critical to effective national planning.
“Data is key to whatever planning you intend to do; if you can’t measure, you can’t plan and if you can’t plan, the results are predictable, therefore, census is not optional for us,” he said.

Idris commended the NPC’s commitment to preparedness and transparency, assuring that President Bola Tinubu will proclaim a new census date at the appropriate time.
“We are waiting for the president’s proclamation, which is the basis for the legal and financial framework of the exercise,” he said.

“The ministry and its agencies stand ready to provide full media and communication support once that announcement is made.”

Yusuf said the visit was aimed at strengthening institutional collaboration and enhancing media partnerships ahead of the forthcoming national census and other activities of the commission.

He thanked the minister for granting audience to the NPC delegation despite his tight schedule, describing the gesture as “a demonstration of his enduring commitment to national development, responsive governance, and public service”.

The NPC chairman commended the federal ministry of information and national orientation and the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for their roles in public enlightenment and mobilisation during preparations for the previously scheduled census.

He also praised government-owned media organisations under the ministry’s supervision for amplifying census messages nationwide.

“This collective effort clearly demonstrated how coordinated government communication can build trust, stimulate participation, and promote national ownership of vital public programmes,” Yusuf said.
He assured the minister that the commission has remained operationally focused and technically prepared despite the postponement of the census.

According to him, the NPC continues to refine its processes to ensure a transparent, efficient, and credible census once a new date is announced by the federal government.
Yusuf said the commission is also strengthening the civil registration and vital statistics system to ensure real-time registration of births and deaths nationwide.

Census No Longer Optional

He said sustained government media support through dedicated airtime and coverage across broadcast and digital platforms is needed to deepen public awareness of the commission’s programmes.

Responding, Idris reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to support the NPC’s communication and advocacy efforts.

“Our partnership with the National Population Commission is key; we are only performing our duty, we do not even have an option,” the minister said.
“This is the mandate that we have as ministry of information and national orientation, to be in the forefront of advocacy of government policies and programmes.

“The ministry of information and national orientation is ever ready to partner with you to ensure a very credible national census.”
In July 2023, the NPC chairman, after meeting with Tinubu, said the nation’s leader would announce new dates for the census.

In April 2025, Tinubu inaugurated a high-level committee for the exercise.

The last time Nigeria conducted a census was in 2006 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

NIPR Summit Sets To Drive Actionable Strategies For Nigeria’s Global Reputation

NIPR summit sets to drive actionable strategies for Nigeria’s global reputation. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) says the inaugural Nigeria Reputation Summit 2026 will unite stakeholders to develop actionable strategies to strengthen Nigeria’s image locally and internationally.

Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, Chairman of NIPR’s Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG), disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the summit will be held on Jan. 20 at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

According to him, the event will convene leaders from government, business and civil society to advance discussions on rebuilding Nigeria’s national reputation.
He explained that the initiative reflects the need for a more intentional and coordinated approach to managing the country’s reputation.

“A nation’s reputation is not built by chance. It is shaped by leadership, institutions, citizens, and the stories we tell through our actions.

The Goose And The Gander

“The summit provides a platform to align these forces and take responsibility for how Nigeria is seen and experienced,” Badejo-Okusanya said.

He said the summit is designed as an annual forum to develop strategies, track progress and foster cross-sector collaboration.
Badejo-Okusanya said former Lagos State Governor and ex-Minister, Mr Babatunde Fashola, will deliver the keynote address.
He said the address, with the theme ‘Better Nigeria, Better Reputation’, will examine leadership, governance and institutional consistency in shaping perceptions.

NIPR Summit

A key highlight, he said, will be an interactive session for young Nigerians themed “The Power of Youth, Technology and Creativity in Rebuilding Nigeria’s Reputation.”

According to him, the session will explore how innovation, digital platforms and the creative economy can project a positive and authentic national image.

He added that ministers overseeing youth development, technology and innovation, and creative economy and tourism are expected to participate.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NRMG was established to harness key drivers shaping Nigeria’s image.

The group promotes deliberate and coordinated efforts to positively influence behaviours, narratives and national consciousness.