The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris has said that the media has the unique ability to educate, inform, and inspire resilience among the public in the fight against terrorism and can either undermine or bolster the collective efforts to provide alternatives to extremist ideologies.
The minster made the call while addressing participants at a 2-Day Training Workshop organized by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, in collaboration with the National Peace Academy of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
The two days media training on "Effective Reporting Towards Strengthening Alternatives to Terrorist Ideology" was held at the National Counter Terrorism Centre, ONSA Office, Abuja drawing participants from various media house. 
Alhaji Idris said terrorism is not merely a physical threat but an ideological battle of the mind with the extremist groups exploiting vulnerabilities, spreading fear, and propagating messages that present them as fighting for a social cause, in order to further their agenda.
As a solution and Counter measure, the Minister said the media must offer compelling, positive alternatives that resonate with the same audiences targeted by terrorists as reporting plays a pivotal role.
For this to be projected Alhaji Idris recommended that the media should continue to project successful initiatives and programmes of NCTC and ONSA that counter radicalization as well as the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant terrorists into the community.
"I will enjoin the Defence Correspondents/Reporters to work closely with security experts, sociologists, psychologists, and community leaders to provide a multi-faceted perspective on terrorism and its alternatives. Use data and research to back your stories, thereby enhancing credibility and depth""I would like to take a moment to commend the NCTC and, in particular, the Office of the National Security Adviser, for your proactive efforts in the fight against terrorism as well as the numerous successful rescue operations of kidnap victims, which are devoid of publicity. Thank you for your dedication and service to the nation"
"it is commendable to note that, in advancing the frontiers of the fight against terrorism, the NCTC has sustained a strategy of regular engagement with the media. This approach significantly contributes to shaping public perception and understanding of the complex issues surrounding terrorism and national security" stated the Minister.
The National Security Adviser, (NSA) Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has called on media practitioners to produce contents that would counter or prevent the appeals of terrorism and other non-state armed groups.
The NSA who was represented by the National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Office of the National Security Adviser, Major General Adamu Garba Laka said the media and citizens must jointly combat dysfunctional information to attain a safe and peaceful society that will guarantee sustainable socioeconomic development.
He highlighted that Terrorist groups have continued to provide dysfunctional information through social media platforms, networking sites, and online propaganda including mainstream and traditional mediums of communication in such manner appealing for easy recruitment of many especially among the youths.
"This training is part of efforts in response to the call of the UN Secretary General’s Plan of Action for member states to develop and implement a national communication strategy, and to ensure the dissemination of positive content across a wide range of media both traditional and digital platforms to counter terrorist appeals and violent extremist narrative"
"The press is capable of exercising power in favour of the state or in favour of the enemies of the state. Media practitioners must always be mindful of this in the discharge of their responsibilities in order to expose societal ills and suspicious characters and activities, garnering support for the government to be able to tackle challenges" stated ONSA.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu stressed that there is the need for robust media campaigns against terrorism, violent extremism and all other forms of organized crime that threaten the corporate existence of Nigeria as a country.
"Media contents can change people’s perception and attitude, galvanize solidarity, mutual trust, patriotism and national cohesion. The media is also expected to mobilize support to government and national security efforts, and strongly help to dissipate ignorance that makes some persons susceptible to terrorist appeals and violent extremism narrative"
"The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in line with its mandate pledged to continue to support the National Counter Terrorism Centre to collaborate with the media by prompting capacity building of members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm at the national and state levels as part of the objectives of the National Counter Terrorism Strategy 2016, and the National Security Strategy 2019" NSA.
The Director General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, represented by the Director , National Peace Academy (NPA) Dr. Bosede Awodola, said haven't realized the importance of the soft power approach in the landscape, the pivotal role of the media in this regard cannot be oevremphasized.
He said the media has the strenght through it's narrative to reduce and transform the conflicts in the society.
"The media in Nigeria and indeed globally, remains the most credible source of news and information for the majority of people. It is therefore essential that this workshop is conducted for media personnel working in relations with the NCTC to enable an improvement in the reportage of events, especially related to terrorism ideology and violent narratives from extremist groups"
"Oftentimes, it is not uncommon for the media to dramatize, exaggerate or over sensationalize terrorism narratives for viewer attention. However, this strategy does not help the average citizen whose fears are more often than not, heightened by such media information".
The Training Workshop featured lectures by Professor Adeniyi Abiodun titled and Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka retired.
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