Nigeria building global partnerships to counter false narratives – FG

By Collins Yakubu-Hammer

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment in building strategic global partnerships to counter negative narratives aimed at damaging the country’s reputation.

Idris stated this at the UK Edition of the Renewed Hope Global Dialogue with the theme: “Strengthening Global Partnerships for Economic Renewal and National Rebranding under the Renewed Hope Administration”.

This is contained in a statement by the minister’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim on Saturday in Abuja.

According to him, the partnerships and collaboration remain central to Nigeria’s efforts at rebranding and repositioning itself, on the world stage.

“Let me now highlight one of the reputational challenges we are currently confronting, which is a disinformation campaign, falsely and maliciously alleging state-sponsored and targeted religious attacks and discrimination in Nigeria.

“We have been very robust in our rebuttals, making it clear that these are despicable narratives being peddled by people who know nothing about Nigeria.

“We need international friends and partners who know our country very well and understand our nuances and complexities and who can add their voices to ours, to present an accurate, believable and credible picture of the country,” he said.

Idris emphasised that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, was deeply involved in the task of national rebranding, working with strategic partners to project Nigeria positively.

“A national brand does not emerge by accident; it has to be designed, crafted and marketed in a deliberate and painstaking way,” he said.

The minister revealed that the ministry, in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) had launched the Nigeria Reputation Management Group (NRMG).

According to him, the partnership aims at maximising positive national pride among Nigerians and promoting a positive global reputation in all spheres.