The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, said public support is not optional, but a strategic necessity for military operational efforts across theatres.
Shaibu said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a media workshop on “Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape: Enhancing Collaboration with Media Stakeholders through New Media.”
The event was organised by the Directorate of Army Public Relations and the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information.
The COAS, represented by Brig.-Gen. Matthias Amatso, the Commander, Nigerian Army Women Command, said the theme of the workshop was timely and apt.
He said the theme emphasised the pivotal role of communication, information management and strategic media engagement in today’s national security landscape.
Shaibu said the workshop was to highlight the importance of media as powerful instrument for shaping public perception, influencing attitudes and fostering national unity.
According to him, the immediacy and reach of new media platforms have transformed how information is shared, consumed and interpreted in today’s digital era.
He added that “for the Nigerian Army, this reality presents both opportunities and challenges.
“On one hand, new media enables us to tell our stories directly and transparently, projecting our values, professionalism and commitment to national peace and security.
“On the other hand, it exposes us to the dangers of misinformation, fake news and malicious propaganda that can affect troops’ morale, undermine operational successes and erode public trust.”
The army chief said that in an era where perception often shapes reality, the role of the media was to counter misinformation, dispel fake news and utilise public support for military operations.
According to him, it is a priority that engagement with media stakeholders is strengthened, as
the media remains critical partners in shaping public understanding of military activities.
He explained that through collaboration, understanding and professionalism, the military could ensure accurate and responsible reporting to guide public narrative, particularly during internal security operations and crisis situations.
He added that “as security challenges evolve, our strategies for managing information and shaping public perception must evolve.
“We must embrace the fact that public support is not optional, but a strategic necessity for all our operational efforts across theatres.
“I, therefore, hope that this forum will deepen our collaboration by providing platform for open dialogue, capacity building and knowledge sharing among officers, defence correspondents and communication experts.”
In her remark, the Director, Directorate of Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Oyinyechi Anele, said the event was in recognition of the role of the media as partners in nation building by the Nigerian Army.
She said the annual event had become an invaluable platform for professional exchange, capacity development and strategic engagement between the Nigerian Army and media partners.
The director, represented by the Acting Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Adamu Ngulde, said the theme of the event captured current realities.
She said it was an era where information travels faster than ever, and narratives shape perceptions, influence public opinion and impact national security within moments.
Anele said “the synergy between the military and the media was essential not only for effective public information management but for sustaining public trust and confidence in our operatives.”
She said participants would be engaged in series of lectures and interactive sessions designed to deepen understanding and strengthen practical skills in modern military-media relations. (NAN)
