By Augustine Ehikioya
Towards having a united, secured and peaceful Nigeria, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has called on the media and information experts to be responsive and patriotic on issues relating to national security.
He made the call on Monday 30 May, 2022, while declaring open the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) Media Workshop 2022, at the Headquarters 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos.
A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said the COAS was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Ibrahim Ali.
COAS, according to the statement, “pointed out the need for the media to be responsive and patriotic on issues relating to national security to promote national cohesion and stability.
He was speaking on the theme: “Conflict Sensitive Communication, Patriotism and Positive Media Reportage in a joint Environment”
The Army Chief said that the workshop was timely and necessary in view of the security challenges facing the country.
General Yahaya averred that “the media is a critical stakeholder in surmounting the security challenges bedeviling the Nation, hence the need for thought provoking deliberations to profer solutions.”
Speaking at the workshop, a former Director Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd) observed that “global technological advancement has necessitated a paradigm shift in information management, where battles are fought in the media domain.”
He urged the media to shun sensationalism and fake news, adding that they could jeopardize national security.
In his welcome address, the Director Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said that the workshop will be anchored on issues that will foster mutual trust and understanding between the Nigerian Army , the media and the rest of the society.
He emphasized that it is geared towards enhancing the capacity and proficiency of Nigerian Army personnel, the media and other stakeholders.
He commended the developmental strides of the Chief of Army Staff and the approval of ongoing Social Media Sensitization Workshop for officers and soldiers of the Nigeria Army.
Nwachukwu also enjoined the participants to take advantage of the media workshop to enhance their capacity in information management.
Present at the workshop included former Directors of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubarkar, former Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), Directors of Public Relations of sister services, staff officers of 3 Division Headquarters, senior officers, members of the media, information management experts, and spokespersons of security agencies.