New Defence Spokesman Pledges Open Door Policy

The newly appointed Director, Defence Information (DDI) Brigadier General Samaila Uba has assumed command and pledged to operate an open door policy.

Uba, in his inaugural remarks, also promised to prioritise seamless coordination among the public relations and information directorates of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force.

He spoke during a brief ceremony while taking the mantle of leadership from his predecessor Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, following a shake-up in the military after the appointment of service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu.

He further pledged to advance the ideals of transparency, unity, and excellence in safeguarding the armed forces and nation’s security narrative, “more so as the terrain of public information and image management is not new to me”.

He said “Our strength lies in a unified narrative that amplifies the collective achievements of our services while respecting their unique identities. Regular joint briefings, shared platforms and synchronised messaging will ensure we speak with one voice”.

He noted that the public deserves accurate and timely information in crisis or peacetime time.

“We will reinforce proactive communication strategies to counter various forms of information disorders and preempt speculative reporting.

“A dedicated rapid-response team will monitor and address emerging threats to our information space,”.

The director reaffirmed that the battlefield of perception was increasingly online hence, “we will leverage cutting-edge technology – data analytics, social media engagement, and multimedia storytelling – to connect with younger audiences and global stakeholders. Our digital footprint must mirror the agility and precision of our armed forces.”

Uba, referring to members of the media, said contrary to beliefs, “We view you as allies in the pursuit of truth. I propose a quarter