Army regulates the use of Social Media for soldiers, officers

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Farouq Yahaya has called on its Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSM’) to uphold the tradition, custom and ethics of the Nigerian Army by monitoring activities of soldiers on social media.

Yahaya made the call at the First Regimental Sergeant Major’s Convention 2023 of the Nigerian Army, held in Jos.

While addressing participants at the opening of the first RSM Convention the Army Chief said the Nigerian Army cannot operate outside the social media or ban troops from operating the space, hence the need to train them to abide by the rules as contained in the armed forces and policies guiding the use of social media.

The Chief of Army Staff, represented by the Director Administration, Defence, Research and Development Bureau, Maj. Gen. Uwem Bassey said this could only be achievable if the RSM’s are adequately equipped with the requisite knowledge on how to manage the social media space.

He emphasized the role of social media in shappening the planning, conduct and outcome of military operations across the world, noting that posting of inappropriate materials and discriminatory comments could, however mar its reputation.

He therefore charged the participants to control its troops in the barracks, particularly as it continues to operate in all theaters of operations.

However, in his remark, the Chief Administration, Nigeria Army, Maj-Gen.  Ali charged the RSMs to take advantage of the course and bring out issues concerning social media and how it impacts them.

Represented by the Director of Personnel Services, Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. AKPO, the Chief Admin informed that there were a number of changes and innovations in the Army which include review and launching of several manuals.

Earlier in an address, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj-Gen. Abusalami Bagudu Ibrahim, urged the RSMs to improve on discipline and Regimentation in armed forces.

Ibrahim added that discipline, obedience and professionalism were key to military carrier and operations.

Our correspondent reports that the theme for the 2023 RSM convention is “The Roles of Regimental Sergeant Majors in Upholding the Tenets of Professionalism in the Social Media Era” with an aim to enhance the capacity of RSMs in discharging their regimental roles.

About 350 RSMs were drawn from all the army formations and units.

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The convention is expected to end on the 12th of May, 2023, our correspondent said.