Civil-Military Relations: Nigerian Army, Security Affairs Sensitize Social Media Influencers On Positive Reportage.

By Lazarus Zakaa, Abuja

In its effort to address issue associated with hate speech, false news and malicious Reportage on social media against the Nigerian Military by some Social Media Actors and Mischief Makers, the Nigerian Army in partnership with Security Affairs to Sensitized over 70 Social Media Influencers in Plateau State on the need to promote peace and security in the country while trying to generate traffic to their social media platforms.

He said , “the seminar is set up to essentially make the civil populace understand that Nigerian Army can use soft approach by using social media to propagate the activities and as well inform them on wat the military is doing regarding it’s operations. ” Maj Gen Usman Mohammed, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, and representative of the Chief of Army Staff stated during the interactive session.

The Seminar which was the 5th edition is held in Jos plateau state, has continued to change the negative narrative associated with social media news against the Armed Force of Nigeria. The 5th edition was an eye opener for over 70 social media influencers and participants as they were charged on ethical posts, tweets, blogging, and comments online.

The event which was organised by the Nigerian Army Department of Civil Military Affairs (DCMA) in partnership with Security Affairs was themed “The role of social media in civil-military relations as a non-kinetic tool for enhanced peace and security in Nigeria.”

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj Gen Usman Mohammed who represented the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai in his opening remark acknowledged the fact that everyone has a role to play in the development of peace and security in Nigeria. He charged bloggers and social media influencers to be ethical in their online posts, comments and tweets so as to promote peace and security in the country as what is said, how it is said and how it spreads has far reaching implications on Nigeria National Security than one thinks.

In an interview with the Chief Executive Officer of Security Affairs, Mr Austin Peacemaker reiterated to the online actors that the Nigerian Army is our Army and by extension, the Armed forces of Nigeria, and there is need to intentionally celebrate their successes and achievements, especially in the fight against Boko Haram Terrorists in the Northeast and other security challenges in the other part of the Nigeria.

He also said, most often online users were not fair to the armed forces, while saying before now, many of them don’t have information about the operation and activities of the Nigerian army.

“They sit in the comfort of their homes imagine things that don’t even exist, or read from one blog site and website and decide to to use their own imagination to exaggerate most of the issue that were happening around the Nigerian Military back then, but the narratives has”, he said.

Photos from the event.

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