By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has urged the media to always balance national security interests with the public’s right to information while reporting on the Nigerian Army’s activities.

Gen Lagbaja made the call Thursday in Makurdi at the Nigeria Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat, Third Quarter, with the theme “The Media and the Military: Allies in Pursuit of National Security

Represented by the Commander of the 4 Special Forces, Doma, Major General Hilary Nzan, the Army Chief acknowledged the vital role the media plays in ensuring that the public is well-informed and educated on activities of the government and its agencies as well as the military.
He stated that “public education and enlightenment are essential for citizens to fully understand their role in the whole-of-nation approach to addressing shared challenges. In this regard, our strongest allies in ensuring national security are those who influence the minds of citizens—the media.

“Therefore, the theme for this event, “The Media and the Military: Allies in Pursuit of National Security,” aptly highlights the significant roles both the media and the Nigerian Army play in safeguarding national security.

“The partnership between the army and the media is essential for achieving national security goals and is critical for maintaining peace, harmony, and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
“This focus brings us to today’s event. The Nigerian Army remains committed to protecting law-abiding citizens and their civil liberties. At the same time, the media serves as a crucial link between the military and the public, ensuring accountability and fostering mutual trust. While significant progress has been made in improving communication and media engagement, challenges persist, and forums like this help address some of these challenges in the relationship.

“To foster effective collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media, it is vital to encourage open dialogue and mutual respect. We must establish regular communication channels to facilitate 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’s activities, balancing national security interests with the public’s right to information.

“It is also crucial to avoid spreading misinformation or inflammatory content that could undermine national unity and security. I must emphasize that such content can be easily created with manipulative technological tools; hence, media practitioners are urged to verify information before disseminating it to the public.

“The Nigerian Army is dedicated to enhancing media access to our operations while maintaining operational security. This commitment underscores the importance of a transparent communication strategy and the need for the Nigerian Army and the media to embrace their respective roles and responsibilities.

“This Media Chat embodies our unwavering dedication to fostering clear and effective communication between the Nigerian Army and the media. Accurate and balanced reporting is crucial for building trust between the Army and the public.

“Therefore, media practitioners are encouraged to maintain high professionalism, accuracy, impartiality, and patriotism, which are essential to
contributing positively to national security objectives.

“Together, we can enhance public understanding, build trust, and promote the greater welfare of our beloved nation. To achieve this, our collaboration must extend beyond conflict reporting to include national development, peacebuilding, and community engagements.

“Our combined efforts should highlight initiatives that improve citizens’ lives, foster a positive image of our country, Nigeria, and promote nation-building and development through enhanced national security. These efforts would foster patriotism and loyalty, essential to addressing our contemporary security challenges, as insecurity cannot thrive without public support.”

In his welcome address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Nosakabre Ugbo, noted the importance of the collaboration between the military and the media in enhancing national security and addressing the country’s security challenges.

Maj. Gen. Ugbo underscored the evolving nature of security threats, driven by technological advancements and globalization, and how a solid military-media alliance could help mitigate such complexities.

He said “the Nigerian Army’s Civil-Military Operations and our partnership with the media are pivotal in securing the necessary support and cooperation from civil society as we carry out our constitutional responsibilities.”

“The media is a critical leader through which we can reach the people. Today’s theme underscores the importance of this partnership in guaranteeing the much-needed support toward a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”