Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has launched a national campaign for the support of the Nigerian military.
The minister who spoke in abuja said the launch became necessary as a result of the metamorphosis of Boko Haram to ISWA ISIS in West Africa, which have further challenged the Nigerian army as they are no longer fighting a home grown terror organisation but a global terror group.
The minister noted that earlier on January 8th 2019, the announcement for the launch was made to seek the support of the citizens for our troops,
especially in the fight against insurgency.
He said that the occassion was a fulfillment of that promise as we are here to formally launch the NATIONAL CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY. Which he said was a follow-up to the hugely-successful National Campaign Against Insecurity which was launched on Feb. 16th, 2016, with the punchline: ”If you see something, say something.”
He observed that the launch became necessary because those in uniform who are risking all, including making the supreme sacrifice, to keep us safe
deserve the support and prayers of all Nigerians, not vilification, insults and other acts that are capable of dampening their morale.
they are confronting a fresh crisis, a global insurgency. A faction of Boko Haram has aligned with the global terror group, ISIS, to form ISWAP, the Islamic State’s West African Province. In other words, ISIS now has a strong foothold in West Africa – with Nigeria in the forefront of the battle against them.
He decried the proponderance of disinformation on the military fight have now made it their past-time to wage a campaign of disinformation against the military, especially in the social media. Doctored videos and pictures purporting to show massive military casualties are willfully
circulated online. Such unpatriotic acts are discouraging and demoralizing our troops, and must stop forthwith.
Let me state that those who engage in this act of disinformation are few, and do not represent the majority of Nigerians who appreciate
the patriotism and the sacrifice of our gallant troops. That’s why we are launching this campaign, to mobilize the majority of the good
people of Nigerians, irrespective of their political, religious or ethnic leanings, to show support for our military.
On the campaign he said it will be multi-faceted and include the production and airing of special jingles on radio and television, social media intervention and advocacy.
He called on the media to play a lead role in the campaign and show utmost professionalism in reporting the insurgency by seeking official
clarification where necessary.
