The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Oluyemi Oluyede, has emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media for national security and effective military operations.
Speaking at a media workshop organized by the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) and the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) in Abuja on Tuesday, Lt. Gen. Oluyede, represented by Major General Nosakhare Ugbo, stressed the critical role of the media in modern military strategy.
He acknowledged the successes achieved in joint operations across the country, attributing them in part to effective media collaboration.
He noted that contemporary security challenges such as terrorism, insurgency, banditry, and separatist agitations underscore the importance of winning the “media war,” as public perception and narratives significantly influence operational outcomes.
He called on the Directorate of Army Public Relations to enhance its efforts in fostering mutual understanding and collaboration between the military and media stakeholders.
Lt. Gen. Oluyede reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and upholding democratic principles.
He pledged to modernize NASPRI with cutting-edge equipment and facilities, aligning it with global standards.
Expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, he urged media professionals to champion messages of peace and unity.
In a remark Major General Clement Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, highlighted the workshop’s objective of equipping participants with the skills to effectively engage segmented audiences, develop positive narratives, and strategically communicate in dynamic operational environments.
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He lamented the prevalence of inaccurate reporting and the growing threat of fake news, which he described as detrimental to national security.
Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu also praised media professionals and bloggers for their timely reporting of the Army’s successes while urging greater responsibility in their reportage.
Acting Commandant of NASPRI, Lieutenant Colonel AY Ngulde, revealed that the institution has trained over 4,500 personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force since its establishment in 2010.
He stressed the pivotal role of the media in modern warfare, stating that media narratives often determine the outcomes of conflicts.
The school has updated its curriculum to incorporate modern public relations and information management strategies. Collaborations with academics from the University of Abuja aim to enhance training quality, he added.
Themed “Leveraging Digital/Social Media Influence for Effective Military Operations Within a Joint Environment,” the 2024 NASPRI workshop brought together 500 participants, including Public Relations Officers from the Army and other security agencies, defense correspondents, media stakeholders, and online publishers.
The discussions focused on the evolving dynamics of digital media in military operations and its role in fostering collaboration for national security.
Resource persons and discussants at the workshop were carefully selected for their expertise, contributing to what organizers hailed as a significant step toward improving media-military relations and promoting peace and development in Nigeria.
The workshop aims to strengthen the existing cordial relationship between the military and the media while reinforcing the critical role of information management in ensuring national security.
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