COAS charges troops on appropriate use of social media

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has charged Nigerian troops to use social media appropriately, in line with the Armed Forces Policy on Social Media.

He gave the charge, yesterday, while declaring open a week-long Nigerian Army (NA) first Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) Convention in Jos, Plateau State.

The COAS noted that the convention, with the theme, ‘The Roles of Regimental Sergeant Majors in Upholding the Tenets of Professionalism in the Social Media Era’, was organised to enhance the capacity of RSMs as custodians of discipline and regimentation in the army.

He noted that the cherished tradition, custom and ethics of NA must be upheld, bearing in mind the increased involvement of troops in social media activities and the attendant consequences of social media on military operations globally.

Maintaining a social media presence is typical of today’s soldier, he revealed, adding that sensitising troops on the appropriate use of social media has become necessary.

Represented by the Director, Administration, Defence Research and Development Bureau, Defence Headquarters (DHQ), Maj-Gen. Udem Bassey, the army chief noted discipline and regimentation as crucial elements of military profession.

The COAS averred that operation security violations, posting discriminatory comments or inappropriate materials and online fraternisation erode professionalism.

RSMs, he said, have a key role to play in upholding the professional status of the army in the face of pervasive effect of social media engagement by soldiers.

He tasked the RSMs to live up to their responsibilities, considering the military’s engagements in ongoing operations to tackle security challenges across the country.

“In this era of social media, the sole aim of this training is to enable the RSMs, who are the custodians of discipline, to monitor soldiers in their activities on social media, to avoid departure from the Army’s policy,” he said.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Maj-Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, lauded the Department of Army Administration for putting up such timely and vital training to equip RSMs with the requisite knowledge on the effect of social media to address the challenges posed by abuse.

According to the GOC, the workshop will further build the participants for optimal performance, urging them to take advantage of the convention to develop themselves, as the training package was carefully designed to address contemporary challenges at regimental levels.