The Defence Correspondents' Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has called on the Defence Headquarters to establish a dedicated Defence Correspondents' Press Centre, positioning the proposal as a strategic investment in civil-military communication, credible defence reporting and the fight against misinformation.
Desk: Defence & Strategic Communication
Date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026
Time: 7:00 PM WAT
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
The appeal was made by DECAN President, Sunday Odita, during a courtesy visit by the association's newly elected executive to the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, as contained in a statement issued by DECAN Public Relations Officer, Matthew Abi, after the meeting at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
According to Odita, the proposed facility would provide defence correspondents with a functional operational workspace while serving as a central platform for military briefings, coordinated media engagement and timely dissemination of verified information on defence activities.
The association also advocated more regular operational briefings, maintaining that improved access to factual information would strengthen the quality of defence reporting and reduce the space exploited by misinformation, disinformation and hostile propaganda.
DECAN commended the Directorate of Defence Media Operations for sustaining an open and inclusive media engagement policy, particularly the operational visits that enabled more than 100 defence correspondents to observe military activities across various theatres earlier this year. The association noted that the firsthand exposure significantly improved the credibility, context and accuracy of reports on military operations.
Beyond infrastructure, Odita disclosed that DECAN is concluding work on The Defence Correspondent, the association's official publication designed to document the activities, achievements and strategic communication efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other defence institutions.
He reaffirmed the association's commitment to professionalism, patriotism and responsible journalism, assuring the Armed Forces of continued support in projecting verified accounts of military operations against terrorism, insurgency and other security threats.
Responding, the Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, described media operations as a vital component of contemporary military campaigns and reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria's commitment to sustaining a transparent, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with defence correspondents.
The engagement reflected a shared recognition that stronger institutional collaboration between the military and professional defence journalists is increasingly becoming essential to safeguarding information credibility and strengthening public confidence in Nigeria's security efforts.
🏷️ Tags: DECAN, Defence Headquarters, Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, Sunday Odita, Defence Correspondents, Defence Press Centre, Strategic Communication, Media Relations, National Security, Defence & Strategic Communication, Zig Press
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