During a paper presentation titled "Communication and Insecurity in Nigeria: Issues and Challenges For Development in the Era of AI at the International Conference organised by the Department of Mass Communication themed "Communication, Media, Insecurity and Development", the Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, Prof. Umaru Pate highlighted the intricate link between communication and insecurity in Nigeria.
Pate, a renowned communication scholar, stated that insecurity cannot succeed without communication, as communication facilitates the exchange of information between individuals, whether for positive or negative reasons. He argued that in situations of insecurity, communication becomes a casualty, often wielded to cajole and intimidate victims.
Prof. Pate expressed his concern over Nigeria's declining global perception on the World Peace Index, emphasising that the country is plagued by various security issues that impede development opportunities. He cited examples such as kidnapping, drug and human trafficking, sea robbery, illegal oil bunkering, activities of separatist groups, and political insecurity as internal threats compounded by regional conflicts and refugee influxes.
Pate criticized selective and inadequate reporting due to commercialization of the media, lack of ethics, and poor governance, which he termed the "biggest security threat." He also highlighted issues like religious, ethnic, and regional divisions fueling distrust among citizens.
He also stressed on the profound changes brought about by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and media convergence, which have democratized access to communication while raising concerns about cyberthreats and unethical practices.
Pate called on the media to adopt effective emergency and communication techniques to address security threats, promote media literacy, and teach the complexities of Nigeria's psychology, sociology, and history. He advocated for media houses to set the agenda by showcasing Nigeria's complexities as a nation and implementing safety protocols for staff covering insecurity.
He also warned of the dangers of stereotypes, low national consciousness among Nigerian youths, provincialism in education, and generalisation on sensitive issues, urging the media to play a responsible role in shaping the narrative on security and development.
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