To foster effective collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media, Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, has harped on the need to encourage open dialogue and mutual respect.
He made this call on Tuesday in Gombe during 2025 first quarter media chat with the theme ‘Harnessing whole of society approach to enhance information management: National security in perspective’ organised by Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation.
According to him, this involves establishing regular communication channels to enable transparent reporting on military operations and timely dissemination of information.
Oluyede urged, media practitioners should uphold responsibility, accuracy, and fairness in reporting on the Nigerian Army’s activities. This includes balancing national security interests with the people’s right to information and avoiding the spread of misinformation or inflammatory content that could undermine national unity and security.
Represented by Corps Commander Armour, Maj Gen Obinna Ajunwa, Oluyede encouraged media practitioners to verify information before disseminating it to the public, stressing that by doing so, the media can play a critical role in building public confidence and trust between the Army and the public.
He said, “In a bid to foster effective collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the Media, it is essential to encourage open dialogue and mutual respect. As such, we must establish regular communication channels to enable transparent reporting on military operations and timely dissemination of information, countering disinformation and misinformation while building public confidence.
“I urge media practitioners to uphold responsibility, accuracy, and fairness in reporting on the Nigerian Army activities while balancing national security interests with the people’s right to information. It is also crucial to avoid spreading misinformation or inflammatory contents that could undermine national unity and security. To this end I encourage media practitioners to always verify information before disseminating it to the public.”
Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj Gen Gold Chibuisi, highlighted the need for a “whole-of-society approach” to enhance information management and national security.
“As we navigate the complex security landscape, it’s crucial that we foster dialogue and collaboration to build a more peaceful and resilient nation. This Media Chat is a platform for us to discuss the best ways to manage security-related information and promote positive narratives,” he added.
According to Maj Gen Chibuisi, “the Nigerian Army’s collaboration with the media is essential in promoting understanding, strengthening partnership, and fostering synergy between the military and the media.”
He emphasised that the media plays a critical role in molding public perception and comprehension of security issues.
Chibuisi urged media practitioners to uphold truthful and ethical reportage, refraining from sensationalism and misinformation that can undermine public trust. “A collaborative military-media alliance is essential in our progressively interlinked society,” he stressed.
Alhaji Ali Muhammed Ali, Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, who delivered a keynote address at the occasion emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media, stating, “The ability to safeguard our security-related interests, therefore, hinges on the collaborative disposition of these two critical pillars.”
Ali who was Chairman of the occasion highlighted the Nigerian Army’s role as a fulcrum of national defense, ensuring the security of Nigerian citizens amidst various challenges, adding “The role of the media as partners in progress in the pursuit of national security has become indispensable, as they serve as channels through which information flows between the Nigerian Army and the civil populace.”
Professor Nuhu Gapsiso, while presenting on ‘Media as strategic partners in war against insecurity in Nigeria: Whole of society approach in perspective’, harped on greater collaborations towards maintaining a peaceful community.
