By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Nigerian Army (NA), said that war in the 21st century, though, fought in the battle fields, are won or lost in the cyber space.
The Service also noted that today’s security environment is characterized by several security challenges, such as insurgency, armed banditry, separatist agitations, kidnapping amongst other contemporary security challenges.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, said this while declaring open the Directorate of Army Public Relations/ Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information Media Workshop 2023, with the theme “Harnessing the Potentials of Media for Effective Military Operations within a Joint Environment”.
Represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command (NACWC), Major General AA Ayannuga, the COAS, noted that the media shapes not only the narratives but influences and garners public support which is vital for a successful military operation.
He said, the continuous and seamless collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media must be maintained at all times, adding that the Armed Forces of Nigeria relies on the support of the media to perform its statutory role as enshrined in the constitution.
The COAS also assured that the Nigerian Army remain resolute in expending all resources at its disposal to ensure that elements of subversion, criminals and other enemies of the state do not succeed in destabilizing the country.
He said: “the Nigerian Army remains highly committed to her constitutional role of defending the nation and as well ensuring her democratic stability.
We are readily available to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity that guarantees the protection of our citizens and their properties which is considered the only panacea for development and progress in the country. In achieving this, the Nigerian Army is ready to continue to cooperate fully with the media. To this end, I charge officers and soldiers to be disciplined, dedicated and maintain professionalism in all their activities. We will among other aspects of human development, continue to build the capacity of our personnel through training of this kind both at home and abroad. It is important to state that this media workshop therefore, was conceived and designed in line with the current Nigerian Army training activities with the aim of harnessing the potentials of the media for effective military operations while tackling head-on various security challenges facing our dear nation”.
In his welcome remarks, the Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, Lt. Col. AY Ngulde, said, the Media Workshop is an annual event that holds at the end of every year’s training cycle of NASPRI.
He noted that the main objective of the workshop is to discuss contemporary media/security issues amongst officers of the Directorate of Army Public Relations, Commanding Officers, Defence Correspondents, spokespersons from other security agencies, media stakeholders and online publishers.
Ngulde , said, the themes for NASPRI Media Workshops had been carefully selected based on prevailing situations in the country.
Reiterating the views of the COAS, the Acting Commandant, observed that cyberspace has become the ultimate decider of who wins or loses a war in modern time, stressing that the need to always collaborate with the media for a successful military operation becomes paramount for promoting the right narratives.
He concluded that the consequences of discordant relationship between security agencies and the media can culminate into increased public apathy or diminished public trust in the abilities of security agencies to perform their constitutional roles.
