Collective efforts will end insecurity, restore lasting peace in Nigeria – Army Chief
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has, in Sokoto State, appealed for the support of all in the military’s continued efforts towards restoring peace to all parts of the country.
Lt Gen. Lagbaja, who insisted that the non state actors that are undermining the nation’s prosperity and security thrive on the collaboration of unpatriotic people in the society, urged the media not to unconsciously promote these bad elements in whatever form.
Speaking in his opening remarks at the 4th Quarter Nigeria Army Civil Military Media Chat, the COAS, represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Div and North West Commander, Operation Hadarin Daji, Maj. Gen. Godwin Mutkut, said that harnessing the collective strength of all well meaning individuals and organizations is required for sustained peace and security.
“It is important to state that the activities of non state actors that seek to undermine the security, well-being and collective prosperity of our country would be highly degraded and almost non existent without the collaboration of some unpatriotic and unscrupulous persons in the society,” he said.
While stressing that terrorists are conscious of propaganda, the COAS said, “Terrorists, insurgents and other deviants seek attention and thrive by propaganda and reign of fear/terror on well meaning citizens. I, therefore, want to use this opportunity to call on the media not to unconsciously provide these undesirable elements/characters, the oxygen to thrive by propagating their nefarious activities”.
He further noted that the media chat with the theme, “Media As A Force Multiplier In Nigerian Army Operations” is intended to encourage media practitioners from the north west region to continually support and positively represent the Army through constructive reportage that creates favourable perception of their constitutional responsibilities.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, the Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo said the media is very cardinal to their non-kinetic operations.
“As the fourth estate of the realm, the media is a stimulant for social/national accountability, credibility and development. Hence, the media is a worthy partner for the socioeconomic advancement of any country and helps in the actualization of organizational mandates,” he stressed.
Admitting that despite the challenges being experienced, the media must continue to restore the nation’s goals and aspirations through patriotic and objective reportage, he noted that “having acknowledged the huge role of the media in updating the populace, the Nigerian Army strives to carry the media along in all its dealings.”
Delivering a lecture on, “Towards Effective Civil Military Cooperation Line of Operations of the Nigerian Army: The Role of the Media,” the Guest Speaker, Maj Gen Usman Mohammed (rtd), appealed to media practitioners in Nigeria to put patriotism at the back of their dealings.
Maj Gen Usman further said the delay often encountered by journalists seeking clarifications on certain military operations is centered on the issue of national interest.
