……..Bags Patron of DECAN Award for His Immense Contributions to Armed Forces.
The Permanent Secretary, General Services Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, has urged media practitioners to promote responsible, accurate and professional reporting of Nigeria’s security operations, while commending the Armed Forces for their sacrifices in defending the nation’s territorial integrity.
Dr. Kana made the call in a goodwill message at the DECAN Conference & Award 2026 with the theme, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security” organized by the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) on Monday, 12th October, 2026 in Abuja.
He acknowledged the importance of the media in shaping public perception of Nigeria and its security institutions, both locally and internationally. He recalled maintaining a cordial relationship with journalists from his first day in the Ministry of Defence, noting that his engagement with Defence Correspondents was driven by the need to foster collaboration and promote a better understanding of the country’s security realities.
While commending the Defence Correspondents for their professionalism and commitment, especially those who work closely with the Armed Forces and report from operational environments, the Permanent Secretary stressed that Nigerian journalists have a critical responsibility to tell the country’s story accurately and objectively, adding that they are particularly well-positioned to provide context to Nigeria’s experiences and challenges.
Dr. Kana cautioned that inaccurate, misleading or poorly contextualized reports could contribute to unfavourable perceptions of the country. He therefore encouraged Journalists to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, fairness and professionalism in their coverage of security operations, while ensuring that their reports reflect the realities of the situation.
The Permanent Secretary also expressed profound appreciation to the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their sacrifices in protecting the country’s territorial integrity and national security. He observed that the commitment of military personnel is often better appreciated by those who have had direct engagement with them and witnessed the demands of their service.
According to Dr. Kana, members of the Armed Forces routinely endure difficult conditions, spend extended periods away from their families and surrender personal comforts and freedoms in the course of duty. He commended their dedication to safeguarding the nation, noting that their sacrifices deserve recognition and appreciation from Nigerians.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making more resources available to the Armed Forces and other security agencies, the former Senate President and the Chairman Senate Committee on Defence, Sen. Ahmed Lawan in his goodwill message stressed that, although Nigeria may not have attained its desired level of security, significant progress has been made in efforts to tackle insurgency, banditry and other criminal activities across the country.
Speaking also at the Conference, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (rtd), represented by Air Commodore Steven Ogunmodede (rtd), said modern security threats require combat operations, timely intelligence, advanced technology and stronger cooperation among security agencies. He urged responsible journalism, cautioning against unverified reports and sensitive disclosures that could endanger personnel, civilians or military operations.
In his keynote speech, the President of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), Comrade Odita Sunday, identified AI, satellite surveillance, data analytics and unmanned systems as vital tools for addressing Nigeria’s evolving security threats, saying that threats now extend beyond traditional battlefields to cyberspace, digital platforms, information networks and financial systems exploited by terrorists and criminal groups.
Highlights of the conference was launching of DECAN Magazine and the presentation of awards to the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office (GSO), Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni for his invaluable contributions in the infrastructure development and impactful policies to the Nigerian armed forces when he was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence along with some military officers in recognition of their efforts towards defending the territorial integrity of the nation.
Signed:
Chris Ugwuegbulam
Head, Information & Public Relations Department
12th October, 2026
