The Nigerian Army has been called upon to explore the positive aspects of the social media to launder its image and to counter the Boko Haram narratives.
Making this call at the closing ceremony of the media workshop organised by the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) on Wednesday, at the officer Mess, Marina, Dr Suraj Olunifesi of the Mass Communication department, University of Lagos added that it was high time the army trained personnel to handle its social media handles that would give prompt Information to counter terrorists propaganda.
“The social media should be a sea of information while the conventional media should be the fisherman because they know how to catch the fish.
Social media has the reach; immediacy.”
“The army authority should immediately train personnel to handle its social media platforms to change the narrative against terrorists propagandists machine and maintain information superiority.
“The army should always be ahead because at the moment, the terrorists are exploiting the advantage and reach of the social media to influence people; sell their negative agenda against the country” he further stated.
On her part, while delivering a lecture on the new media, a blogger and the Chief Executive Officer of Linda Ikeji TV, Mrs Linda Ikeji called on the army authority to work with known bloggers and online publishers to identify such bloggers and work with them to change terrorists propaganda
“Identify who they are; befriend them and use them to change the narrative and by extension, they will help you win the war,” Linda reiterated.
In his closing remarks, the Chief of Staff, 81 Division, Brig Gen A.O Quadri, who stood in for the General Officer Commanding, (GOC), Maj Gen Olubunmi Irefin, applauded NASPRI for the “educative and intellectually stimulating” media workshop.
He observed that as information managers, the need for espirit de Corp will enhance National security.