As part of efforts in carrying out its constitutional mandate in aid of civil authority, the Nigerian Army on 10 May 2023 hosted media executives and journalists to a Media Chat in Jos, Plateau State.
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Control TV reports that the Media Chat was aimed at sharing ideas on the roles of the media in addressing insecurity in Nigeria as well as keeping the media abreast on the gains made by the Nigerian Army along the Non-Kinetic line of operations.
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The occasion also provided an avenue to bring to 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.
Declaring the occasion open, the COAS disclosed that the Media Chat is 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 the Media Chat would provide an avenue for the Department of Civil-Military Affairs to engage Media Executives in order to chart new ways for a more mutually benefitting 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 at the occasion, Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche delivered a lecture titled: “The Media and National Security: Partners for Development”. The lecture laid emphasis on the role the media plays in ensuring national security by objective reportage. It also enjoined the media to place national security above every other considerations in the discharge of their duties.
During the interactive session, thought-provoking issues were raised by the panel of discussants and the participants. The issues raised were very topical and useful to chart new ways on areas of collaboration going forward.
Present at the occasion were Sulaiman Aledeh of Arise TV, Gimba Umar of Control TV, Mrs Linda Akhigbe of Channels TV, Cynthia Areh of Arise TV and Charles Erukah of Channels TV 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 brief on the activities of Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, lecture on media and national security, panel discussion, presentation of souvenirs and groug photograph.
(C)ControlTV2023.