ARISE News anchors Dr Reuben Abati and Ojy Okpe were active participants at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC) Exercise ‘Haske Biyu’ recently held in Kaduna State, where discussions centred on the role of the family in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
Abati, who served as guest lecturer, emphasised that aligning family values with national security goals was vital to achieving stronger coordination among Nigeria’s Armed Forces, Police, and other security agencies. He stated:
“The linkage between media, family values, and national security is therefore not incidental, but fundamental. The nation’s security does not only depend on the strength of its outposts, or the sophistication of its intelligent services. It also depends on the moral fiber of its people, and the narratives that bind them together.”
He further posited: “The media, by amplifying certain messages, role models, and value systems, plays a decisive role in either reinforcing or undermining the cultural foundations of national security. For the military, which bears the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding territorial integrity and supporting civil authority, this linkage is especially critical. Military officials are not only defenders of the state, they are also members of families and communities,” adding that the media are custodians of discipline, integrity, and sacrifice, values that mold a new world in the wider society if national security is to be sustainable.”
Ojy Okpe, anchor of ARISE News’ ‘What’s Trending,’ participated as a discussant, underscoring the importance of the media in reinforcing efforts to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges. She stressed that responsible journalism was essential in shaping narratives that empower families and communities to contribute positively to national security. According to her:
“We need media that informs without sensationalizing, that entertains without corrupting, and connects without dividing. We need content creators who see themselves not just as business people or artists, but as architects of our collective future.”
Okpe stressed that the media must go beyond profit to shape society’s values, celebrate role models, and inspire communities.
She further explained: “On my show, What’s Trending’ in Arise News, I try to highlight partners, role models, and celebrate community achievements to reinforce the values that bind us together. I often make a conscious effort to select stories that will shape the future and foster the kind of society we want our children to inherit. The media landscape of today presents us with both our greatest challenge and our greatest opportunity.”
Concluding her remarks, she said “because of the democratization of the media, especially through social media, we all have the power to shape a narrative that strengthens families, builds communities, and enhances national security.”
The session was moderated by Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, while AFCSC Commandant Air Vice Marshal Hassan Alhaji coordinated the exercise on Thursday, September 18.
The AFCSC Exercise ‘Haske Biyu,’ themed “Family and National Security,” is a major joint military training programme designed to enhance collaboration among Nigeria’s Armed Forces, Police, and other security agencies.
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig Gen Mohammed Buba Marwa (Rtd), delivered the first lecture of the day, declaring that the war against drugs could not be won without the family. Represented by ACGN Shenu, he revealed that Nigeria’s drug use prevalence rate stood at 14.4 percent, almost three times the global average, translating to over 14 million Nigerians affected.
Gen Marwa warned that substance abuse erodes human capital, fuels crime and terrorism, and places a heavy burden on public health. He noted that while NDLEA’s “Offensive Action” strategy has recorded over 69,000 arrests, sustainable progress depends on families serving as the first line of defence against crime and insecurity.
Stakeholders from the security, media, and defence sectors unanimously agreed that the nation’s stability begins at home, with the family serving as the foundation of national security. Their contributions at Day 4 reinforced the centrality of the family to Nigeria’s stability.
The exercise runs from September 15 to October 3, 2025.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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