General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu, Major General Hassan Dada, has charged Nigerians to look at the positive side of the military in its efforts to ensure security in the country.
Dada made the appeal yesterday at the 33rd edition of the Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar in Aba, Abia State with the theme: “Enhancing National Security Through The Responsible Use Of Social Media.”
He appealed to Nigerians to also look at the positive aspect of the country, adding that there is a lot both the military and the people can do to make the country better.
The GOC, who was the special guest of honour of the occasion, reminded Nigerians that in line with the philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Army is the people’s Army.
“We’re the peoples own; we’re not our own,” he said, stressing that as patriotic citizens, “there is a lot we all can do to make the country better and to contain evil in the society.”
In his address of welcome, the chief of civil military affairs, Army Headquarters, Major-General N.C. Ugbo, said the occasion presented the participants the opportunity for intervention, idea-sharing, and intellectual exchange.
“The seminar,” he said, “is a key part of our outreach and engagement strategy to inform and educate the public about the Nigerian Army’s efforts to maintain peace and security in our nation.”
Represented by the director of psychological operations at the headquarters, Brig-General Bola Keji, Ugbo said the Army seeks to use the seminar to empower social media users especially the youths on responsible use of their platform.
After moderating the interactive session, the special guest, Major-General Tonye Numbere ,of Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, allayed some of the fears and misconceptions the public have about the Army.
In his contribution, popular Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme, also known as Akin Pawpaw, underscored the importance of social media users to create positive contents.
Dr Ehiz Idigie and Prof U.J. Ogbonna presented papers on curtailing negative content on social media: responsibilities of users, and fake news on social media and its effects on national security respectively.
