Media Remain Nigerian Army Strongest Allies For National Security – COAS Lagbaja

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on Thursday, said the media remained the army’s strongest allies for achieving national security.

Lt.- Gen. Lagbaja made the assertion at the Nigerian Army Civil-Military Cooperation Media Chat for the Third Quarter of 2024 in Makurdi, Benue.

Speaking on the theme chat ,“The Media and the Military: Allies in Pursuit of National Security,”  Lagbaja said that the media played a vital role in ensuring that the public are well-informed and educated about the government and its agencies’ activities, including the Nigerian Army, and the responsibilities of good citizens.

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According to him, the partnership between the army and the media was essential for achieving national security goals and was critical for maintaining peace, harmony, and the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

He said that public education and enlightenment were essential for citizens to fully understand their roles in the whole-of-nation approach to addressing shared challenges.

 

“In this regard, our strongest allies in ensuring national security are those who influence the minds of citizens—the media.

“Therefore, the theme for this event, “The Media and the Military: Allies in Pursuit of National Security,” aptly highlights the significant roles both the media and the Nigerian Army play in safeguarding national security.

“I believe the longstanding debate over whether the pen is mightier than the sword has been settled—the pen has triumphed, affirming its superiority,” he said

The COAS said that the Nigerian Army remained committed to protecting law-abiding citizens and their civil liberties.

He said that the media serve as a crucial link between the military and the public in ensuring accountability and fostering mutual trust.

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He promised to establish regular communication channels to facilitate transparent reporting on military operations and timely dissemination of information, countering disinformation and misinformation while building public confidence.

He urged media practitioners to uphold responsibility, accuracy, and fairness in reporting on the Nigerian Army’s activities, balancing national security interests with the public’s right to information.

The COAS further said that the army had intensified it’s operations across various regions in the country with tailored strategies to address the unique security threats in each region.