By: Theresa Moses
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya has emphasized the importance of having the media involved in the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic operations aimed at managing the security environment across the country.
He stated this as the Special Guest of Honour at the Third Quarter CIMIC Media Chat 2022 with the theme: “Media as a Critical Tool in Addressing Insecurity in Nigeria,” organised by the Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs at the 81 Division Officers Mess, Marina on Monday, 17th October, 2022.
“I would like to stress the importance of having the Fourth Estate of the Realm involved in the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic lines of operations towards ensuring a peaceful and secure Nation. It is the right knowledge that no nation can progress without the media. This is because the media play an indispensable role as a watchdog in reportage and perception management,” he said.
Lt Gen Yahaya was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj Gen Obinna Ajunwa.
According to the COAS, the Civil Military Cooperation Media Chat is apt, providing a unique opportunity to engage various media practitioners and influencers with a view to charting new ways which would be beneficial to the Nigerian Army and the media, and improved media reportage along non-kinetic lines.
Adding to that, there’s no better time than now as we approach the yuletide and electioneering seasons in which all efforts must be put in place to ensure these events take place in a peaceful and secure environment.
The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj Gen Marcus Kangye in his welcome remarks said the quarterly event was in line with the Nigerian Army’s drive towards keeping the Media informed of its Civil-Military Cooperation and Civil-Military Relations activities as a means of eliminating rumours, provide accurate and timely information in compliance with global best practices.
In addition, Kangye said since the formation of the Civil-Military Legal Desk under the Department in February 2016, issues relating to human rights violations and abuses by troops during Internal Security and Counter-Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations have declined as available statistics showed that there have been a drastic reduction in litigation cases involving personnel of the Nigerian Army in recent times.
“The constant Sensitization Workshops on Human Rights conducted across Nigerian Army Divisions and Formations coupled with the impact of the Desk’s sanctions on offenders have had a positive impact on the force” he added.
The Guest lecturer, Maj Gen Chris Olukolade (retd) speaking on the topic: “The Role of the Media in Enhancing Civil-Military Cooperation in Joint Operations Environment,” states that the military and the media are essential in ensuring peace and security.
Television host and anchor of “Your View” on Television Continental, Mrs. Morayo Afolabi-Brown; Renowned broadcaster journalist, Gbenga Aruleba of African Independent Television (AIT); Director, Current Affairs, Television Continental, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju; Dr. Abubakar Alhassan of Bayero University, Kano; Maj Gen Rogers Ibe Nicholas (retd), former Theatre Commander, “Operation Lafiya Dole” in the North East were the discussants while Brig Gen Sani Usman moderated.
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