The Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged media practitioners to prioritize responsible and balanced reporting on the Nigerian Army’s operations and activities.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Oluyede made the call during the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat for the Fourth Quarter of 2024, held in Enugu. He emphasized the importance of open dialogue and collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media, stressing that such a relationship is essential for national security and development.
The COAS, represented by Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, noted that the media plays a critical role in shaping public perception and influencing national discourse. He therefore urged media practitioners to be mindful of the impact of their reporting on national security and unity.
Oluyede also highlighted the Nigerian Army’s efforts to address complex security challenges across the country, reporting significant successes in neutralizing terrorists, rescuing abducted citizens, and restoring socio-economic activities in affected communities.
In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, appreciated the COAS and President Bola Tinubu for supporting and funding the media chat. The event aimed to build a robust understanding between the Nigerian Army and the media.
The Special Guest of Honour, Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Newspaper, Mr. Toke Ibru, noted that the media chat was timely and relevant, given the current security challenges facing the country. He emphasized the need for effective information management and collaboration between the media and the military to enhance national security.
Retired Maj.-Gen. Godwin Umelo, who delivered a lecture titled “Enhancing National Security through Whole of Society Approach: Effective Information Management in Perspective,” stressed the importance of community involvement in security matters. He urged the public to provide actionable information to security agencies to enable them to respond effectively to security threats.