The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor has enjoined journalists to galvanize public support and goodwill for military operations to bring to an end the various conflicts in the country.
He made the call on Tuesday shortly before he declared opened a 1 Day capacity building workshop for Defence Correspondents with the theme: ” The role of Defence Correspondents in enhancing National security: Imperatives of conflict sensitive communication.”
General Irabor whose address was delivered by Rear Admiral AB Adamu the Chief of Defence Administration Defence Headquarters noted that “the conventional and asymmetric security challenges ranging from insurgency, terrorism, armed banditry, militancy, cattle rustling, communal clashes, Kidnapping and other sundry crimes demands whole of government and whole of society approach.”
He said that indeed Defence Correspondents have the duty to align with military operations and “use their reportage to galvanize support for military operations aimed at bring sustainable national unity and peaceful coexistence among the citizenry.”
“Journalists covering the defence beat should be able to understand the nuances and technicalities involved in military operations as the Armed Forces of Nigeria in synergy with, security agencies strives ta restore lasting peace in all troubled parts of the Country,” he said.
He said the capacity building workshop for Defence Correspondents has come “at an auspicious period in our nation’s history as collective approach is required to surmount the myriads of security challenges being experienced in some parts of the country.”
On its part, General Irabor said the Armed Forces have been evolving in its combat capability to tackle contemporary security threats adding that the engagement and consultation with critical stakeholders, including Defence Correspondents is part of the efforts.
He expressed the hope that the workshop will facilitate the needed discourse towards identifying viable media approach and collaboration which would support the kinetic efforts by the Armed Forces to combat present and emerging security threats.
It is against this backdrop, he added , that the theme for this workshop: “The Role of Defence Correspondents in Enhancing National Security: Imperatives of Conflict Sensitive Communication,” was conceptualized.
The objective of the one day capacity building workshop, was to elicit proper understanding of conflict sensitive communication to drive home sustainable peace and tranquility.
He said that it behold the Forth-Estate of the realm, to support ongoing military operations, “by aligning with our media campaign strategies.”
General Irabor also said that globally, conflict sensitive information management is critical to national development, as such “the way and manner in which conflict sensitive information is processed and disseminated to the general public could positively or negatively affect national security.”
The Director Defence Information Major General B.O Sawyerr said in his remark that there was need to change the negative media narrative about the military and it’s operations .
Nigerian Media must work with the military to achieve the desire national security and development adding that both the military and media should not be seen as working in opposite directions.