Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Guardian Newspapers Limited, Mr Toke Alex-Ibru, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, have declared that a strong partnership between the media and the Nigerian Army would pave the way for a secure and prosperous Nigeria.
Ibru made his declaration, yesterday, while delivering a speech at the fourth edition of the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat, held in Enugu.
According to him, the military and the media must partner and collaborate to secure the nation for the good of her people.
He spoke on the theme, “Media and Military Relationship: A Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development”.
Ibru, who was the Special Guest at the occasion, stressed that the military should seize every opportunity to better understand how the media functions, including its challenges and pressures to enhance progress.
He recalled the role of the media in the promotion of peace and national security.
“At critical periods in our history, Nigerian media played pivotal roles. The Nigerian media was at the forefront of chasing out the colonialists and ushering in an independent Nigeria; the Nigerian media also came to the fore to chase out military dictatorship and usher in the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria. We will, therefore, rise to the occasion to chase away the violent armed groups that seek to destroy our country,” he said.
While further acknowledging the constitutional role of the Nigerian Army to secure the territorial integrity of Nigeria as and properties of law-abiding citizens, he stated that the media, as the fourth estate of the realm, also had its own responsibility to keep Nigerians informed and serve as watchdog on government policies and actions.
He said: “Is there a point of convergence between these two roles or are they parallel lines that can never meet? The consensus all over the world is that when it comes to national security, the military and the media must partner and collaborate to the extent necessary to secure the nation.
“The first step in this direction is open communication. When we call, will you answer? When we seek clarification, will you respond? Even when you respond, will you tell us the truth or will you obfuscate? For us in the media, these are the great issues to be decided in our relationship with the military as partnership and collaboration can only be possible on the basis of trust
and respect.”
Ibru added that the need for continuous engagement between the media and the Nigerian Army, even as he called for more understanding in the workings of the media.
“Such interactions foster transparency, understanding and trust as our dear country navigates a plethora of diverse security threats across the country. Positive narratives and collaborative communication are crucial to shaping public perception, countering misinformation and upholding the integrity of our national architecture.
“We are not unmindful that within the ranks of the media are people and even organisations with parochial agenda, who seek to achieve their aims unmindful of national security.
“The answers to such situation are more openness and accessibility so that the correct information will drive out misinformation. Indeed misinformation thrives where there is scarcity of correct information on the true situation. The military must make its higher leadership more accessible to the media so that its side of the story is better understood.
Majority of media practitioners are capable of showing understanding and would refrain from publishing things that are clearly inimical to national security.”
In his remarks, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said the event highlighted the indispensable roles both the military and the media play in safeguarding the nation.
He acknowledged the critical role of the media in keeping the public informed while ensuring that national security was not compromised.
“This underscores the need for a closer, mutually beneficial relationship between the military and the media. The Nigerian Army remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting law-abiding citizens and upholding their civil liberties in collaboration with other security agencies. In this partnership, the media serves as a vital link between the military and the public, fostering accountability and trust”, he said.
He added that progress had been made in improving communication and engagement, stressing that with persistent security challenges, “platforms offer opportunities to address and overcome them”.
He urged media practitioners to prioritise accuracy and fairness in reporting on Nigerian Army activities, balancing the public’s right to information with national security considerations.
