Last week, the Directorate of Defence Information, Defence Headquarters, Abuja, organised a one-day seminar for Defence Correspondents, to build their capacity in order to enhance their performance in the discharge of their duty.
The Seminar, with the theme: theme “Constructive Reportage as an Important Ingredient for National Security and Integration, had in attendance journalists from both print and electronic media, as well as online platforms.
In his key note address, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, recognised the significant of the seminar, which he said has come at the right time due to security challenges facing the country; and for which the media is a critical partner in the effort to bring about sustainable peace to the country and ultimately protect her national security interest.
He identified the military and the media as indispensable component of the society, which must work together in harmony in bringing about peace and sustainable development to the country.
“They indeed play different roles and might see things from different point of view but in the matters of national security, peace and progress, they must understand, promote, protect and appreciate each other as partners in progress and co-stakeholders in the overriding task of nation building,” he said.
He said it would be easier for both components to protect national security by defending the country from external and internal insurrection, when they strengthen their partnership and synergy, and “build bridges of understanding and collapse the wall of mutual suspicion” between them.
He argued that the current security challenges facing the country could be more disastrous, if not handled with utmost care and professionalism that they deserve. This, he said, is because the media has both the power to aid understanding of efforts of security agencies in confronting the security challenges, and also capable of orchestrating public mistrust against the security forces.
“I recognise the enormous power you the media practitioners exercise as wielders of the mighty pen but I also believe that it is not in anybody’s interest if you wittingly or unwittingly, play into the hands of those who do not mean well for the country through insensitive or unprofessional reportage of sensitive security information.
“I therefore urge you to continue to be guided, at all times, by the sense of professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of your sacred duties.”
The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in his address, said the military has performed well in maintaining peace and keeping the country united, hence there is the need to mobilise support for the military and other security agencies.
“The people must be made to understand that the military is there to serve them, and therefore deserving of their maximum support. This should help reduce the level of misunderstanding of the legitimate role of the military in the management of internal conflicts,” he said.committed towards ensuring peace and tranquility throughout the country.
