NIGERIAN ARMY RECOGNISES YOUR ENORMOUS IMPACT IN SHAPING PUBLIC OPINION AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT – COAS TELLS NIGERIAN MEDIA
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has stated that the Nigerian Army (NA) recognises the impact of media in shaping public opinion and nation development. The COAS made this assertion today 22 November 2023 at Command Guest House Sokoto during the NA Fourth Quarter Civil-Miliary Cooperation (CIMIC) Media Chat 2023, with the theme “Media as a Force Multiplier in NA Operations”.
The Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division NA and Commander Joint Task Force North-West Operation HADARIN DAJI, Major General Godwin Mutkut said in his opening remarks that the NA CIMIC Media Chat is a platform designed to provide a conducive atmosphere for the NA to engage and dialogue with media practitioners in other to exchange valuable information and ideas for the benefits of common prosperity. Expatiating on the aptness of the Media Chat, the COAS observed that the media chat provides a rare opportunity to engage various media practitioners and influencers which would be beneficial to the NA and the media, adding that by extension galvanise into improved media reportage along non-kinetic line of operations.
The SGOH further stressed that the essence and desire for peace and security require proper harnessing of the collective strength of all well-meaning individuals and organisations by dealing with contemporary security challenges in Nigeria which encompasses the collective strength of all individuals and organisations synergising in a whole of nation approach to defeating the enemy. He reiterated that apart from cementing cordial relationships and keeping media practitioners informed, it also serves as a means of dispelling rumours, thereby providing accurate and timely information to the media as practised globally.
The COAS added that the NA has taken delivery of some modern equipment and other combat enablers while the provision of more has been finalized. “The new addition to our operational capacity have been deployed and their effects are being witnessed across various theatres of operations, measures have emplaced to ensure that our troops are well trained and constitutional responsibilities”, he said.
He reassured the nation of the unalloyed loyalty of the officers and soldiers of the NA to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA) Major General Nosakhare Ugbo said the media chat was organised as part of efforts to keep the media informed of its CIMIC and Civil-Military Relations activities in order to eliminate rumours and provide accurate and timely information in line with international best practices. He noted that the gathering provides an opportunity for the NA to engage with various communication experts for better understanding and to chart a mutually beneficial relationship to improve media reportage.
The CCMA reiterated that the media chat is also an aspect of the non-kinetic line of operations of the NA, assuring the media that the NA would continue to seek mediums that would facilitate and provide adequate and accurate information to the media and continue to engage with the media to enable the NA initiate more proactive actions towards improving NA operational activities.
Major General Ugbo appreciates the COAS for his unflinching support and strategic guidance as well as approving the conduct of the media chat and making available the resources.
Highlights of the event were lectures by accomplished retired generals, panel discussions, presentation of souvenirs and group photograph.
Present at the event were military officers, heads of various security agencies, government officials, media executives, journalists from various media organisations such as televisions, newspapers, and online media.
