The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Army, Major General Gold Chibuisi, has called for stronger partnership between the media and the military to enlighten the public on the activities of the Nigerian Army.
Chibuisimade the call at a Roundtable interactive session with members of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN), on Saturday, 26th April, 2025, at the Army Headquarters Command Officers Mess, Abuja Nigeria's Capital.
He said the forum was one of the many platforms that the Nigerian army intends to leverage, to bridge any gap between the army and media with constant engagement as partners in sustaining the security architecture of of the country.
“The role you play in covering our programmes is crucial, and it is important that you understand us to be able to reflect our activities well. Also, through your work, we are able to get feedback on the impact of our programmes, our activities, and our operations"
“So it is a symbiotic relationship, and I want to once again appreciate you for all that you have been doing in supporting the Nigerian Army, and I look forward to more meaningful engagements and even better relationships going forward,”
Major General Chibuisi said the effort to ensure harmonious relationship between the military and the civil populace is a work in progress.
He said there is need for people to understand that the Nigerian army is their own army and not their enemy, stressing that the media had important role to play towards achieving that.
According to him, every Nigerian should realize and understand that every military personnel comes from a family and a community in the country.
The President of DECAN, Ismail Musa, reaffirmed journalists’ commitment to strengthening the vital bond between the military and the media.
Musa said the partnership is essential to defeating terrorism, combating crime, and securing the peace and stability of the nation.
He said pledged sustained collaboration with the armed forces, and all relevant security institutions.
“Through accurate, investigative, and balanced reporting, we aim to enhance public understanding, promote national security, and showcase the sacrifices made daily by our gallant troops. We are acutely aware of the sensitivity and complexity of national security reporting"
“That is why we prioritise continuous engagement with the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, and the Office of the National Security Adviser,”
While giving a brief on the activities of the Department of Civil Military Affairs (DCMA), the Assistant Director of Administrative, Lieutenant Colonel Muhammed Sani, said the army has been able to enhance civil military relations with local communities.
Sani said that the army had executed several quick impact and special intervention projects across the country through the department.
According to him, the department was established in 2010 as an interface between the Nigerian army and the civil populace.
The round table discuss between the military and journalists seeks to create strategic partnerships for fostering security in Nigeria as well as project the activities of the Nigerian military to the society.
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