Media is Important to Military Operations, Shaping Narrative - COAS

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja say the media is an important instrument to successful military operations as they shape the narratives and influence public support. 

General Lagbaja stated this while at the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information Media Workshop 2023, held at the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare School, Muhammed Buhari Cantonment Giri Abuja. 

The Army Chief who was represented by the Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Major General Adeleke Ayanuga said it is important to note that war in the 21st century, though fought in the battle fields, are won or lost in the cyber space. 

"To this end, the continous and seamless collaboration between the Nigerian Army and the media must be maintained at all times. Consequently, this important gathering is to remind us that the Nigerian Army in particular and the Armed Forces in general relies on the support of the media to perform their statutory roles as enshrined in the constitution" stated the COAS. 

The COAS disclosed that through effective media collaborations the Nigerian Army has recorded tremendous successes in its operations owing to effective information sharing and partnership with the media. 

He therefore called on the Nigerian media to propagate the message of peace in its reportage in order to foster national unity and cohesion, as achieving a peaceful national is a collective responsibility of all citizens. 

While delivering a paper titled "Contemporary Security challenges: Changing the Narrative Through the use of New Media & Multimedia Tools in a Joint Environment, the Former Director Defence Media Information, retired Major General Chris kolade, said there must be a balance and synergy between the military and Information diseminators. 

The Former Director, Army Public Relations, retired Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka in a paper titled "The Role and Importance of Crisis Communication During Internal Security Operations in Nigeria" pointed out that the biggest test of an organisation's image and reputation is how it handles a crisis when it occurs. 

He further stated that" in the digital age, where information spreads like wildfire, the impact of a poorly handled crisis can be detrimental to the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army and its internal security operations"

In an address of welcome, the Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, Lieutenant Colonel Ngulde said the workshop is an annual event to discus contemporary issues around Defence. 

He further emphasized the need to always colaborate with media as it has become paramount to promote a given narrative. He admits that the security challenges require robust collaboration especially with the need to woo public support. 

The workshop with the theme "Harnessing the Potential of Media for Effective Military Operations within a Joint Environment" is aimed at developing the capacity of information managers for improved national security. 

 

The the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information Media Workshop 2023 which featured paper presentations from retired senior military officials, Information managers of public and private institutions, public relations practitioners from military and Paramilitary institutions and Defence Correspondents from various media Houses runs from 4 to 8th of December, 2023.