The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has urged the media to support the Nigerian Army in tackling insecurity through factual reporting that fosters peace and national cohesion.
Oluyede made the call at the opening of the Directorate of Army public Relations study period and the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information Workshop 2024 on Tuesday in Abuja.
The theme of the workshop is, “Leveraging Digital/Social Media Influence for Effective Military Operations Within a Joint Environment”.
The COAS, represented by the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj.-Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, said the theme highlighted the critical role of media in modern warfare.
According to him, today’s security environment is characterised by several security challenges such as terrorism, insurgency, banditry, separatist agitations, kidnapping amongst other contemporary security challenges.
“It is important to note that the wars in the 21st Century, though fought on battlefields, are won or lost in the media domain.
“This is why the importance of the media for a successful military operation cannot be over-emphasised.
“The media shapes not only the public perceptions, opinions and narratives, but also influences and galvanizes public support which is a vital variable for operational success.
“To this end, the continuous and seamless collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media must be maintained at all times,” he said.
The COAS said the workshop was designed to remind participants that the Nigerian army in particular, and the Armed Forces in general rely on the support of the public through the media to perform their statutory roles as enshrined in the Constitution.
He said the military had recorded commendable successes in joint operations across the nation, adding that the attainment of peace was a collective responsibility of all citizens.
In his remarks, the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, acknowledged the dual-edged role of social media—amplifying military achievements while also being a platform for misinformation.
Nwachumwu highlighted the need to address false narratives that undermine public trust and national security.
He said that the workshop was designed to equip participants with tools to manage public relations effectively in evolving digital landscapes.
He called for strengthened ties between the media, military, and public for cohesive national security efforts.
“This workshop is also organised as part of efforts by the Nigerian Army to further enhance the existing relationship amongst stakeholders in information management, the Nigerian army and the public, in the interest of national security and nation building.
“The lukewarm attitude towards the military by some sections of the media in recent times is generating a lot of public concern and debate, not only within the military but equally in various parts and sectors of the polity.
“The ability of some social media influencers to deliberately spread hoax or distorted information with the aim of intentionally dis-informing, misinforming and misleading members of the public on the activities of the military thereby causing palpable fear and anxiety to promote other sinister motives has become a potential threat to our national security and a menace to the global information space,” he said.
The Acting Commandant of NASPRI, Lt.-Col. Adamu Ngulde, said the school had trained over 4,500 personnel in public relations and media strategies since its inception in 2010.
Ngulde said that NASPRI’s curriculum includes modern practices like crisis communication and digital media.
He appreciated army leadership for the support to the school such as infrastructure upgrades and positioning NASPRI as a premier institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to him, the media now plays a central role in the outcomes of conflicts, hence the need for strategic engagement.
“Workshops like this are pivotal in preparing military personnel to navigate the challenges of misinformation and leverage digital platforms,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
