By Joy Odor
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has organized a one day capacity building workshop for Defence Correspondent targeted at broadening journalists’ knowledge on understanding the nitty-gritty of sensitive conflict communication and resolutions.
The event which was organised by the Defense Headquarters in partnership with The Media Today (TMT) International in Abuja charged the media to use their platforms and reportage to galvanize citizens support towards promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor gave the charge while declaring open the workshop at the Defence Headquarters With the theme, “The Role of Defence Correspondents in Enhancing National Security: Imperatives of Conflict Sensitive Communication.
General Irabor who was represented by the Chief of Defence Administration, Rear Admiral Abdul Adamu said the manner in which conflict sensitive information is being processed and disseminated to the public by the media could positively or negatively affect national security.
According to him, the conventional and asymmetric security challenges ranging from insurgency, terrorism, armed banditry, militancy, cattle rustling, communal clashes, Kidnapping and other sundry crimes demands whole of government and whole of society approach.
“The capacity building workshop for Defence Correspondents has come “at an auspicious period in our nation’s history as collective approach is required to surmount the myriads of security challenges being experienced in some parts of the country.”
“Journalists covering the defence beat should be able to understand the nuances and technicalities involved in military operations as the Armed Forces of Nigeria in synergy with, security agencies strives ta restore lasting peace in all troubled parts of the Country,” he said.
He expressed the hope that the workshop will facilitate the needed discourse towards identifying viable media approach and collaboration which would support the kinetic efforts by the Armed Forces to combat present and emerging security threats.
The CDS said the objective of the one day capacity building workshop, was to elicit proper understanding of conflict sensitive communication to drive home sustainable peace and tranquility.
He said it behold the Forth-Estate of the realm, to support ongoing military operations, by aligning with our media campaign strategies.
He assured that the military would continue to partner with the media to build a peaceful, harmonious and prosperous nation.
In his opening address, Deputy Director Defence Information (DDDI), Air Commodore Wap Maigida opined that unpatriotic and negative reportage by the media over the years, have continued to distort military operations against insurgency, terrorism and more recently, banditry.
According to him, there was need to change the negative media narrative about the military and it’s operations.
The DDDI said Nigerian media must work with the military to achieve the desire national security and development adding that both the military and media should not be seen as working in opposite directions.
The DDDI urged the media to carry out coherent activities with the military to achieve more feats in the theatres of operation.
Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), TMT International, Barrister Charles Odenigbo in his remark enjoined journalists to remain committed in their duties in line with the code of ethics guiding the profession such as fairness, objectivity and balanced reportage.
Barrister Odenigbo stressed that the purpose of the workshop would be defeated if the challenges of the defence correspondent and the foundermentals of Code of Ethics of Nigerian journalists and conflicts they faced in the course of their duties are not heightened and addressed.
He urged media organizations and institutions to dwell more on investigative reporting to expose activities of terrorists.
The lead paper titled, “The Role of Defence Correspondents in Enhancing National Security: Imperative of Conflict Sensitive Communication” was delivered by Prof Abiodun Adeniyi, Head of Mass Communication Department, Baze University, Abuja. Commander AB Ayi, delivered the second paper on the Overview Military Terminologies.
While the Defence Editor, Blueprint Newspaper, Mr Jibrin Ndace and Dr Theophilus Abbah, former Editor Sunday Trust, delivered the third and fourth papers on the Challenges of a Defence Correspondent and The Journalist Code of Ethics, Conflict of Interest and National Security.
The moderators during the interactive sessions were: former Director Defence Information (DDI) Major General Chris Olukolade (rtd) and Mr Dayo Ayetan.
The panelists include: DDI Maj Gen Benjamin Olufemi Sawyerr, Dr Okey Ikechukwu, Mr Gbenga Aruleba, Mr Yushau Shuaib and Mr Ben Okezie.
