Nigerian Army Strategies On Enhancing Better Civil-Military Cohesion … Charges Journalists, Bloggers, Social Media Influencers On Adequate Reportage

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ZAINAB TANIMU
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Nigerian Army Strategies On Enhancing Better Civil-Military Cohesion
… Charges Journalists, Bloggers, Social Media Influencers On Adequate Reportage
Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, Northwest, Nigeria
Over 100 Journalists, bloggers, social media influencers, lawyers, human right activists and members of the civil society organisation took part in the just concluded one-day seminar held in Kaduna yesterday.
The Seminar with the theme, “Evolving Role of the Social Media in Support of the Nigerian Army Non-Kinetic Line of Operations”, organized by the Nigerian Army Department of Civil-Military Military Affairs in conjunction with Security Affairs Limited, brought to fore salient army related issues with a view to charting a way forward.
The Chief of Civil – Military Affairs, Major General Makus Kangye who spoke through his representative, Brig.Gen. EE Egbe, in his opening remarks charged participants to give maximum support towards enhancing healthy relationship between the military and the general populace.
The social media apart from shaping public opinion he said has a very crucial role to play in support of the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic line of operations.
“This Seminar which started in 2018 at Port Harcourt, Rivers State, is one of the ways the Nigerian Army interacts with the civil populace in order to foster a harmonious and cordial Civil-Military relations. It would interest you to know that it is a continuous event that will enable the Nigerian Army receive feedbacks on how to serve the Nigerian populace better.
Stressing on the issue of fake news and the negative effects it has on the  dessemination and perception of news. He said.
“There is no doubt that this forum will again provide us the necessary and needed opportunity to freely interact, discuss, share ideas and rub minds particularly towards eradication of the fake news syndrome. Security is everybody’s business and
we therefore acknowledge the fact that you all have very important roles to play in the promotion of peace and security in this country. It is very obvious that what you say, the way you say it and how it spreads have far reaching implications than most of us think, because the social media has a very crucial role to play in support of the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic line of operations as well as shaping public opinion.
 
Therefore, it is necessary for Media Bloggers/Online Journalists to know and enlighten the populace on the dangers of misinformation or misinterpretation of same for the general security of our dear nation.
 
Major General Kangye called on the media to live up to its expectations by ensuring that not only is fake news eliminated but to also give adequate coverage on the gallant efforts of the Nigerian Army in the fight against insurgence which is said to be under reported.
“There is so much that the social media can do in support of Nigerian Army operations across the country. For instance, the recent surrendering of BOKO HARAM insurgents and their humane reception by the Nigerian military has been perceived negatively by the online community, and by extension Nigerians. However, these developments ought to be a to testimony of the effectiveness of the efforts put in place by the military to defeat insurgency.
“It is essential to note that tackling insecurity generally involves the use of kinetic and non-kinetic methods. These methods are complementary and situations where criminals are encouraged to surrender does not mean they will evade prosecutions for crimes committed.
“I make bold to inform this gathering that the Nigerian Army is making giant strides in the fight against terrorism, insurgency, banditry and other forms of criminality in the country. Unfortunately, such efforts are always under reported thereby undermining the unrelenting efforts and sacrifices of our selfless soldiers at tackling insecurity.
 
Lamenting, Major General Kangye
noted that publicizing the activities of criminals by some media houses would only help boost their morales to commit more crimes.
 
“Most media houses prefer to propagate sensitive reportage that scare and attract negative attention rather than headlines geared towards celebrating the gallantry and efforts of our troops. Such acts give credence to the activities of criminals as well as boost their morale and confidence to commit more crimes.
 
“However, with the vigour and enthusiasm of the current leadership of the Nigerian Army, I am optimistic that the narratives and perspectives will change from today as you will begin to see efforts of the Nigerian Army and the many successes recorded in the fight against terrorism and insurgency, would no doubt ensure peace, security and stability in our dear country.
 
The fora also opened up on activities embarked on by the Nigerian Army which it said are aimed at fostering cordial relationship between the Civilians and the military.
Col. A O Ogunsanya giving an overview of activities of the Military
 “A lot is being done through the Department of Civil Military Affairs since its inception in year 2010 to bridge the perceived gap with the civil populace and in winning the hearts and minds of the populace of which most of you seated here are not aware. As a respected organization, the Nigerian Army believes in impacting positively on the lives of the average Citizen as part of it’s cooperate social responsibilities and constitutional roles. 
 
“For instance, in the area of community outreaches through Quick Impact Projects, the Nigerian Army in the last 5 years has carried out more than 100 Civil Military Related Projects aimed at bridging the gap with the civil populace and ensuring that the Nigerian Army is seen in the positive light as a responsible organisation.
 
“While each operation has its own volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) characteristics, success is often influenced by the presence or lack of “Population Centre” strategies or winning the hearts and minds” of the civil populace. We are all aware that the cyberspace is the latest domain of modern warfare. Therefore, social media presents a veritable tool in influencing and shaping public opinion which are critical in deciding the outcome of battles. 
 
 
 “It is my belief that your interaction and cross-fertilization of ideas during this interactive session would make us better informed about the Nigerian Army and would also imbibe in us the spirit of patriotism towards the realization of a prosperous Nigeria of our dream. It is therefore in this context that the theme of this interactive session is aptly crafted: “Civil – Military Relations: The Evolving Role of the Social Media in Support of Nigerian Army’s Non-Kinetic Line of Operations”. I therefore want to conclude these remarks by urging all of you to be open minded and contribute positively so as to make this interactive session worthwhile and rewarding.
 
The Executive Director, Security Affairs, Mr Austin Peacemaker, while fielding questions from journalists, gave an update on some of the successes recorded in areas earlier visited.
Amongst areas where seminars were held are Port Harcourt, Owerri,  Lagos and Maiduguri.
The seminar he said is a continuous event that will help bridge the gap between the citizens and the Nigerian Army.
“If we talk, engage and rub minds we won’t fight or clash. it is a continuous dialogue.”
 
 
 
 
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