By OKOSUN OKHUELEIGBE
THE General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Isidore Henry Edet has called for a more cordial, symbiotic relationship between the military and the media noting that the military cannot exist or performs its functions fighting and waging wars for Nigeria without the contribution of the media.
Speaking during the GOC’s end of the year dinner with media houses in Lagos, he explained that the relationship between the Nigerian Army and the media has a very long history, observing that such relationship was based on mutual trust and respect for each other.
Gen Edet added, “ My generation of officers understand the role of the media in contemporary warfare especially at this time of information technology when we engage in wars like with the current Boko Haram insurgents. The role of the media is very important in driving our course especially as information dissemination platforms.
“However, I feel very bad when I see the media especially the Defence Correspondents report military activities with wrong terminologies. In the Westerner world, the media are, especially the Defence Correspondents are well trained by the military to report whatever is happening with the correct terminologies. They call “Armoured Personnel Carrier as Armoured Personnel Carrier not tank.” All the equipment in the inventory of the country, they know it and its capabilities.
“I think it is time we start doing such things because in the past years, the Nigerian military had unnecessarily over-classified its activities and I must say that has not been good for us. Most times, that has resulted in speculative reporting, misperception and misconception of our activities.
“We would want to engage the media for better relationship. We are going to be having workshops and seminars to rob minds; to teach the media about the technology we use and you will also tell us what you are doing and what you need us to do for better service delivery. We are in a world that information is so important. The military must keep up with the non-traditional media social media.” The GOC added.
Reacting on behalf of the Electronic media, Ene Agbanomon of the African Independent Television, (AIT) said the military must create the right atmosphere for closer relationship adding when the military constantly engage the media, wrong use of terminologies can be erased. He emphasised the need for the military to have proper communication on those aspects of their activities they want the public to know.
Cosmos, Deputy Feature Editor of Daily Sun Newspaper who spoke on behalf of print media calls for more interactions between the military and the media for better understanding of roles in nation building.