Nigerian Army to partner NUJ to enhance military-civilian relationship

The Nigerian Army says it will partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in order to enhance the relationship existing between soldiers and civilians in the country.

The Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Brigadier-General Stephenson Olabanji, disclosed this when members of the executive committee of the NUJ, Rivers State Council, paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt.

Olabanji said, “I want to say that there is no how we can function effectively here without the media, in terms of coverage of our activities, informing the society about our activities, and information gathering and sharing.

“With my experience and exposure, I know the role the media play in the development of any nation. There is no way we can wish that away. On our own part, we will try as much as possible to collaborate with you to ensure that we both play our roles in national development.

“We are in a civilian dispensation and because of that, we must be civil in our interaction with the civil society. As much as possible, we are trying to educate our men to further sharpen their competencies in handling some of the problems they face when they interact with the public in their daily activities.

“That informed the study period we had about two weeks ago. In fact, that particular event was an eye opening event for all of us. We are impressed with the balanced reportage we have received from journalists in Rivers State since we assumed command.”

Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of NUJ in the state, Mr. Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, called for the upgrading of the 2 Brigade, Port Harcourt, to a full Division, considering the position of Port Harcourt as the capital of the South-South geopolitical zone of the country.

Ayo-Tamuno, who congratulated Olabanji on his deployment as the Commander of the 2 Brigade, commended the Nigerian Army for its contribution to the existing peace and security of lives and property in the state.

Insisting that kidnapping has nothing to do with poverty or unemployment, the NUJ Chairman called on the Federal Government to set up a proper corporal punishment rnfor kidnappers in the country.