The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen LEO Irabor, has charged participants and stakeholders in the two-day workshop organized by Zakclair Investments Limited in collabpration with the Defence Headquarters, at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, to draw a synergy between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the media to curtail various security challenges the nation is facing now.
Gen. Irabor who gave the charge on Thursday, in his opening speech, said that the workshop would help to establish a clear cut road map that will align its objectives with the rule of engagement of the Armed Forces .
The CDS who was represented by Rear Admiral TY Pani, the Director of Training, DHQ, noted that the Armed Forces have been employing kinetic and non-kinetic efforts in its operations against various conflicts they had been conducting across the country.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the Armed Forces considered non-kinetic military operations as important as it dealt with psychological and diplomatic aspects of the conflicts.
Gen. Irabor stated that with challenges arising from cyber warfare, covert intelligence operations including media challenges, there is the need to emphasize on non kinetic approach which could help the Armed Forces to control unnecessary damage and loss of life in order to minimise civilian casualities.
He said it also included building relationship with local population which he said, is critical to achieving long term stability and security in conflict zones.
Also, in his speech, the Chairman of the Occasion, Malam Balarabe Shehu Ilelah, urged the media to exhibit professionalism and avoid creating of tension or confusion in the minds of citizens when reporting security matters, adding that such reports have inherent implication on the nation’s corporate existence.
He said broadcasting has a delicate nature where the people do not question its integrity and credibility in transmitting news.
He, therefore, said the workshop was timely and commended the Defence Headquarters and Zakclair Investments Limited for organizing it.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chied Executive Officer of Zakclair Investments Limited, Adelabu Abdulrazak, said that the workshop was organized to enable senior content creators and programmers to explore possible ways the broadcast media could be used in supporting the military in the fight against all forms of security infractions.
Abdulrazak appealed to the participants to take advantage of the workshop to build necessary broadcast contents that would help address insecurity.
