Nigerian Army Hqtrs Converse With Social Media Influencers in Jos

In what could best be described as a strategic move towards greater collaboration and partnership with the Civilian population, the Nigerian Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs in conjunction with Security Affairs Ltd today Monday held a seminar for Bloggers, Social Media Influencers/Strategies, Content Developers, Information Managers and Youth/Human Right Activists in the North Central.

The seminar with the theme “the roles of Social Media in Civil-Military Relations as a non-kinetic tool for enhanced Peace and Security in Nigeria” held at Steffan Hotels & Suites Rayfield Jos, Plateau State was well attended.

The Seminar brought together Top Military Officers such as Maj. Gen. Usman Moh’d the Chief of Military-Civil Affairs, GOC 3 Armoured Division Rukuba Barracks Maj. Gen. Nuhu Angnazo, Maj. Gen. A. A. Goni Director of Information Management Department of Civil Military Affairs, Maj. Z. Danjuma of the Nigerian Army Department of Civil Military Affairs, Mr. Austin Peacemaker of the Security Affairs, Bloggers, Social Media Influencers/Strategies, Content Developers, Information Managers and Youth/Human Right Activists to chart a way forward for better working relationship between the Nigerian Military and the civilian populace in the Country.

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Usman Mohammed said the department was established in 2010 to create a platform aimed at projecting a professionally responsive Nigerian Army through meaningful collaboration with the civil populace.
He said the proper use of the social media will enhance national peace and security.
He spoke on the role of the social media in shaping, influencing and moulding public opinions.
Maj. Gen. Usman spoke on over 100 Civil-Military projects as their corporate social Responsibilities across the Country.

He was quick to observe that the successes of the gallantry efforts of the Nigerian Military are underreported while the negative narratives are given wider publicity.

Brig. Gen. A. A. Goni, the Director of Information Management department of Civil Military Affairs in his remarks appreciated the participants for turning up and said the seminar was meant to discuss credible reportage, how to effectively use the social media to enhance peace and security among many others. He also spoke on some of the challenges confronting the department to include distrust among the populace, inadequate feedback, disregard for rule of law, wrong perception of the military etc.
The GOC 3 Armoured Division Jos, Plateau State commended the military for mulling the idea of the seminar and said they are responsible to ensure adequate security and provide enabling environment for the citizens to live peacefully and carried out their daily activities as well as protect the territorial integrity of the nation against aggressors.
He said all Nigerians have a stake to play in the peace and security of the country and as such the proper use of the social media is vital.
Maj. Gen. Nuhu said fake news and misinforming contents should be adequately addressed.

Maj. Z. Danjuma urged the participants to always promote peace and be Ambassadors of the nation at all times.

Resource Persons at the seminar were Mrs. Umbule Sheba Tayo-Garbson and Amb. James Melvin Ejeh who spoke on the need to use the social media correcting to enhance unity and place high premium on cordial relationship between the military and civilians for nation peace and security.

Participants who spoke separately commended the Nigerian army for the laudable initiative and harped on the need for professional conduct of military personnel, constant trainings of officers on human rights, effective use/contents from the Nigerian Army Social Media Handle, sustain the civilian-military strategic engagement, need for attitudinal change, step down of the seminar, the need for patriotism and greater synergy.

Representative of the Security Affairs Limited, Mr. Austin Peacemaker appreciated the participants for their rich contribution and charged them to use the social media effectively to enhance security and peace of the nation. They also pleaded with the Department of Civil Military Affairs to replicate their Corporate Social Responsibilities to destroyed communities in Plateau, Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa State.

There were group discussions, presentation and interactive session.

The seminar climaxed with presentation of plagues to the resource persons and organizers as well as certificate to Participants.