The Nigerian Army has emphasised the need for a strong alliance between the military and the media to enhance national security and socio-economic wellbeing in today’s volatile, adaptive, unpredictable, and complex security environment.
This is even as the guest of honour at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat for the Third Quarter, 2024, Nduka Obaigbena blamed the Nigerian military and other security agencies for always arresting peaceful protesters and shielding politicians who are constantly rigging elections.
Nduka who is the Publisher of Thisday newspapers, said the election of credible leaders in a free and fair election can guarantee accountability which will in turn minimise protests.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen.Taoreed Lagbaja, who made this known in Makurdi, during the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat for the Third Quarter, 2024, with the theme “The Media and the Military, Allies in Pursuit of National Security” highlighted the media as playing a vital role in keeping the public informed and educated about the government and its agencies’ activities, including the Nigerian Army.
According to him, partnership between the army and the media would promote public education and enlightenment in ensuring that citizens understand their roles in addressing shared challenges.
” This partnership is crucial for effective communication and transparency, which are essential for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of citizens and in this regard, our strongest allies in ensuring national security are those who influence the minds of citizens which is the media.
“The military and media must work together to promote national security, transparency, and objectivity in information dissemination, and by doing so, they can foster a conducive environment for dialogue, exchange valuable information and ideas, which will ultimately promote the common good of the country,” he said.
According to him, “I want to state that our collaboration and cooperation with the media is crucial for enhanced civil-military cooperation towards advancing our collective security. The conduct of the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic line of operations is geared towards securing the support and cooperation of the civil populace as we carry out our constitutional responsibilities.”
While commending the media for their contributions to the success recorded so far by the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff also applauded Nigerians for their support, which has also helped them in successful operations.
In a welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs Maj. Gen. Nosakhare Igbo said in the face of a volatile, unpredictable and complex security environment, a solid military-media alliance is imperative to enhancing national security and socio-economic wellbeing.
He said, “As the media continues to inform and shape public perceptions and understanding of security issues, the military is expected to conduct the required operations to decimate our common adversaries. This synergy is critical and would invariably enhance national security while also upholding our values as a people.”
He said the theme underscores the importance of “our alliance and partnership with the media in guaranteeing and providing the much-needed people’s support towards the realisation of our shared desires for a secure, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”
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