Enhanced Civil Military, Army Engages Media in Borno
By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri
The Nigerian Army, through the Directorate of Civil Military Cooperation (CIMIC), has organised media chat with media executive and journalists in, across the nations to foster civil military relations for the sources of it’s in different theater of operations .
While speaking at the first quarter 2023 CIMIC chat held at the headquarters Northeast Operation Hadin Kai Maiduguri on Thursday, the Chief of Army (COAS), Lt General Faruk Yahaya said “” that media chat is timely as it is coming up about 2 weeks before the 2023 General Elections where the Nigerian Army will be tasked to provide security in support of civil authority..”
Represented by the Commander Infantry Corp, Major General Christopher Musa said ” “While in providing such supports, the military’ involvement are often questioned by sections of the society and the Media Chat provides an avenue to clarify the extent of our involvement and also helps to shape public perspectives on the roles of the Army in this situation.”
‘I would therefore, stress the importance of having the media involved in the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic lines of operation towards ensuring a peaceful and secured Nigeria, as the media is an important component in a nation’s progress and development”, he added.
In his paper presentation with the topic ” “the Role of the Media in Enhancing Civil-Military Cooperation in Joint Operations Environment.””, Major General Nuhu Angbazo said the aim of this presentation is to discuss the roles of the media in complimenting Civil-Military Cooperation efforts in a joint operations environment. “.
“To achieve its aim, this presentation will cover the following:, Clarification of Key Terms and Concepts, the Military and Media in Nigeria, the Media and Conflict Coverage in Nigeria: Challenges and Lessons., Conceptualizing Civil-Military Cooperation in Nigeria, the Role the Media can Play to Enhance Better Civil-Military Cooperation in the Joint Operations Environment. General”
Angbazo said.” the media has the role of disseminating information concerning major issues, events, and people across the world. It also plays its traditional role to inform the masses about events in the society and keeps them updated on political and government matters to enable them make rational decisions. In playing its roles, the mass media also generally performs information, interpretation, instructive, bonding, diversion and publishing functions. ”
“Indeed, the place of mass media has remained vital in the national development drive of any nation as they provide information, education, entertainment, integration and social interaction, giving citizens necessary insight into the happenings in the society and helping with the development of the nation. As society advances in communication, especially through the internet, the mass media continues to improve community access to information thereby playing more important roles not just as a source of information, but also as “watchdog” or scrutinizer. ”
In his welcome address, the Chief Civil Military AF Affairs (CCMA) Major General Markus Kangye said the directorate of the Civil Military Cooperation was established in December 2010 by the then Chief of Army Staff, Major General Azubiuke Ihejirika to foster civil military relations.
He said the event is inline with the COAS vision of having ” A professional Nigerian Army ready to accomplish Assigned Mission within a Joint Operation Environment ” to enhance civil military relations.
