The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja on Thursday called on media organisations in the country to work with the Military to report issues that concerns them accurately and balance in a bid to enhance national security and development.
He made called call while speaking in Makurdi, the Benue State capital at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat, Third Quarter 2024, the engagement was tagged The Media and the Military: Allies in Pursuit of National Security.
The COAS who was represent by the Commander, 4 Special Forces, Doma, Nasarawa State, Major General Hillary Nzan, at the event noted that the engagement was organsied because of the important role of the media that has been recognised by the Army. He note that the media was has been responsible in sahpijng public opinion regarding the current issues in the country.
He noted that that the success of any security establishment was in the hands of the media organizations that stands a the link between the security and the people who depends on it for information.
He noted that in a bid to create a better collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the Media, it was important to create a platform for dialogue and respect between the two arms. He called for the establishment of a regular communication platform, which will help in facilitating transparent and timely dissemination of information.
The COAS also note that the army is always ready and willing to operate by giving favour to any political party or individual but remains loyal to the president of the country and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He established that the army under his leadership would continue to do everything in its power to protect and uphold the human rights of the citizens while discharging its duties.
The Special Guest of Honour at the event, Nduka Obiagbena, chartered the Nigerian Army to establish a good working environment with the media to enhance its success and secure the nation from all kinds of security threats.
He commended the military in its efforts to the moment in providing good security to the citizens all over the country. The Special Guest of Honour further called on the army to put in more effort to try to find good solutions to the issues of security in the country. He charged the military to look at the issues of kidnapping in the country rather than going after the protesters who have been civil all along and are bound by the constitution.
He also called on the army to stop mingling with election riggers in the country noting that there was need for a credible election for the election of leaders that would be accountable to the people.
He also explained that the media is a friend to everyone and is there to protect every individual. Still, the individuals in power have seen it as an opportunity to kill the media, forgetting that they would need the media after their time in office.
While welcoming the participants, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj Gen. Nosacarat Ugbo, explained that the programme was organised in an effort for the Nigerian Army to rub minds and collaborate with Journalists on issues pertaining to their reportage and human rights as it affects military operations and other actors in conflict areas.
He noted that with a good alliance between the media and the army it will be possible o enhancing national security and the economic well-being of the country, adding that it was crucial to use the opportunity of the media chat to enhance partnerships between the military and Journalists.
The event was attended by different journalist from he Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; Nasarawa, Benue, and other states in the country. There were lectures on the ways the media can help in the improvement of national security while a panel discussion was held too. There were goodwill masages from senior governem officials at the event.
