By Milcah Tanimu
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to addressing security challenges. He spoke at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Quarterly Media Chat in Enugu. The theme was “Military and Media Relationship: A Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development.”
Oluyede highlighted recent achievements, such as neutralizing terrorists and rescuing abducted citizens. He noted that socio-economic activities have resumed in many affected areas. He called on Nigerians to support the Army and urged the media to report responsibly.
Strengthening Army-Media Collaboration
Oluyede stressed the need for balanced and accurate reporting to protect national unity. He urged journalists to avoid misinformation and focus on the Army’s contributions to national development.
Representing Oluyede, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada emphasized regular communication between the Army and the media. He said such dialogue fosters transparency and counters misinformation effectively.
Public and Media Support
Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, Chief of Civil-Military Cooperation, commended the Army’s leadership and President Bola Tinubu for supporting the event. He thanked journalists for collaborating with the Army to tackle local security issues.
In his lecture, retired Maj.-Gen. Godwin Umelo advocated a “whole-of-society” approach. He called on citizens to provide actionable intelligence to help the Army respond to threats swiftly.
Broader Impact
Toke Ibru, CEO of Guardian Newspaper, praised the event’s focus on strengthening trust between the Army and the media. He said it would improve public access to accurate information and reduce misinformation.
The Nigerian Army’s focus on collaboration reflects its dedication to ensuring security and fostering national unity.
