Nigerian Army has held the second quarter of 2023 Cimic media chat in Jos, Plateau State, East-Central Nigeria.
Gatekeepers News reports that this was part of the Nigerian Army’s efforts in carrying out its constitutional mandate in aid of civil authority, where media executives and journalists were hosted to a Media Chat.
The occasion was aimed at sharing ideas on the roles of the media in addressing insecurity in the country and keeping the media abreast of the gains made by the Nigerian Army along the Non-Kinetic line of operations.
The Media Chat also provided an avenue to bring to the fore the pace kept with the observance of human rights laws and laws of armed conflict by the Nigerian Army.
The Special Guest of Honour at the occasion was the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya CFR NAM, who was ably represented by the General Officer Commanding 3 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim.
The COAS, while declaring the occasion open, said the Media Chat was apt as it emphasizes the importance of the critical roles of the Media in the Nigerian Army’s Non-Kinetic lines of operation.
He added that it would provide an avenue for the Department of Civil-Military Affairs to engage Media Executives to chart new ways for a more mutually beneficial relationship between the Nigerian Army and the media as well as improve media reportage for enhancement of the Nigerian Army Operations along both kinetic and non-kinetic lines of operation.
The Guest Speaker, Emmanuel Ogbeche, who delivered a lecture titled “The Media and National Security: Partners for Development,” emphasized the media’s role in ensuring national security through objective reportage.
Ogbeche also enjoined the media to place national security above every other consideration in discharging their duties.
During the interactive session, thought-provoking issues were raised by the panel of discussants and the participants. The issues raised were topical and valuable to chart new ways in future collaboration areas.
Present at the occasion were Sulaiman Aledeh of Arise News, who doubled as moderator, Gimba Umar of Control TV, Linda Akhigbe of Channels TV, Cynthia Areh of Arise News, and Charles Erukaa amongst other Media Executives.
Principal Staff Officers from Headquarters 3 Division were amongst senior military officers that graced the occasion, as well as officers from paramilitary organisations.
Highlights of the occasion included a brief on the activities of the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, a lecture on media and national security, a panel discussion, and a presentation of souvenirs and photographs.
