The Nigerian Army (NA) as part of collaborative effort to combat crimes played host to selected Media Executives during the 2022 third quarter media chat held in Lagos state.
The chat is a bid to ensure accurate and timely circulation of information especially as it concerns daily operational activities of the army.
Addressing participants at the event, the Special Guest of Honour; the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt General Faruk Yahaya represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj Gen Obinna Ajunwa maintained that the Media Chat is apt as it emphasizes the importance of the critical roles of the media in keeping the citizenry abreast with the activities of the Nigerian Army along “Non-Kinetic lines of operations”.
He noted that the chat would no doubt provide an avenue for the Department of Civil-Military Affairs to engage Media Executives in order to chart new ways for mutually benefitting relationships between Nigerian Army and the Media as well as improving media reportage for enhancement of Nigerian Army Operations.
The Guest Speaker at the occasion, Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd) delivered a Paper titled: “The Role of the Media in Enhancing Civil-Military Cooperation in a Joint Environment”.
He discussed the importance of cooperation between the Media and the Nigerian Army.
He further highlighted the issues, challenges and the way forward for effective Media – Military Cooperation before rounding off with the place of the Media in enhancing effective Communication of CIMIC Efforts in a joint environment.
The retired General charged the media to always verify sources of information before passing such information to the public domain, adding that, doing otherwise could jeopardize Military operations and by extension national security.
During the interactive session, critical issues were raised by the panel of discussants and participants.
Issues raised include the effects of citizen journalists on Military Operations, the importance of prompt response to journalist inquiries to beat deadlines and the need for responsible journalism in reportage amongst others.
Earlier in his address, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs (CMA), Major General Markus Kangye welcomed participants to the event.
He said he was delighted to host the unique gathering which featured reputable Media Executives present for the Quarterly Media Chat.
Gen Kangye noted that the 3rd Edition was unique and timely as it precedes the start of electioneering campaigns, especially as the nation gears towards the 2023 General elections.
He said the forum further presented an avenue for the Department of Civil-Military Affairs to engage various communication experts for a better understanding in charting a new course.
The CMA added that Nigerian Army personnel would continue to act professionally in accordance with the rules of engagements and codes of conduct for Internal Security Operations.
The event witnessed the presence of top military personalities including the Commandant Nigerian Army Ordnance School, Maj Gen AM Alabi, Deputy Commandant NAFRC Maj Gen EPA Undiandeye, Director Defence Information, Maj Gen OJ Akpor, Director CMA Maj Gen AI Taiwo and Commander 9 Brigade Nigerian Army as well as the Commandant Nigerian Army School of Public Relations Brig Gen Achagwugba.
Other notable participants are Gbenga Arulegba of the AIT, Babajide Kolade Otitoloju of TVC and Mrs Morayo Afolabi Brown of TVC amongst other Media Executives.
The one-day event organized by the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs engaged Media Executives in a Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) aimed at bolstering relationship between the Media and the Nigerian Army as well as Showcasing the achievements of the Army along the Non-Kinetic lines of its operations.
