NCC restates role in tackling Nigeria’s insecurity challenge
Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has restated its role in tackling Nigeria’s insecurity challenge through the establishment of Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs).
Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta made this known during his goodwill message at the two-day 17th All Nigerian Editors Conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Danbatta speaking on the theme theme, “Media in Times of Crisis: Resolving Conflict, Achieving Consensus,” stated that the Commission’s Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) across Twenty Three (23) States in Nigeria have tremendously helped in tackling insecurity.
He disclosed that the Commission plans to establish nine more Emergency Communications Centres (ECCs) Nationwide to further implement its mandate.
“Let me use this opportunity to intimate you on a very important role which the Commission has been playing, through its 112 Emergency Number managed by its Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) established across the country, towards contributing to efforts by government, the media and other stakeholders in addressing conflict situations or emergencies in Nigeria.
“The NCC embarked on the establishment of ECCs across the states to offer a lifeline to citizens in times of distress. The ECC provides a one-stop-shop through which members of the public can access help from any Emergency Response Agency (ERA) such as the Police, the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Fire and Ambulance Services, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigeria Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) and so on by dialing 112, which is Nigeria’s emergency assistance number, from any network.
“In addition to the 23 already established and functioning ECCs, the Commission will soon activate ECCs in nine (9) more states, with an auspicious projection to inaugurate similar projects in the remaining four (4) states by ending of 2022, thereby having an ECC per state and in the FCT, in line with Federal Government’s directive,” he started.
The EVC also adviced media managers to play a greater mediatory role by entrenching a peace media system and building a culture of peace in today’s conflict-ridden world.
Danbatta called for consistent training and retraining of media professional on specialize reportage.
He noted that, “In times of crisis, a lot of people look up to the media to provide vital information that will help them in making informed decisions that create stability in emotional management, rather than take actions that result in pandemonium.”
The event is a convergence of editors and media owners across the country, as well as their foreign colleagues to deliberate on the security challenges in the country and agree on the solution to the raging Nigeria.
Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper, Publisher/Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi, Publisher Premium Times, Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi and Editor-in-Chief of LEADERSHIP Newspaper, Azu Ishiekwene and others graced the event.
