Military urges media to portray nation in good light

The Nigerian military has urged the media to project the country in good light, saying the way local media portrays a nation often shapes how that country and its citizens are perceived by the international community, especially foreign investors.

Director, Defense Information (DDI) Brig. Gen. Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, made the appeal while speaking in Abuja at the Third Security and Emergency Management Awards/First Spokespersons Communication Awards, organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPL).

“For example, you have CNN projecting the image of the Americans; you have BBC projecting the image of the United Kingdom; you have Voice of America projecting the image of America.

“Here, in Nigeria, those who are working in the media must project the image of Nigeria positively, because it is the way you project your country that others will take it,” Sawyerr, who was also an awardee, said.

He commended those behind the initiative and expressed hope that they would, one day, be recognised for the good work they were doing.

Head of IMPL, Malam Yushau Shuaib, said the initiative was intended to recognise those who are risking their lives to ensure the country is safe.

He said: “We have taken it upon ourselves to honour deserving security personnel, who are doing all they can to protect us all.”

What we do is identify those who have displayed diligence and gallantry in the course of their duties and honour them for their efforts.”