The Director General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Major General Garba Wahab (Retired), has advocated for increased collaboration between the military and the media to bolster national security.
Wahab made this call today during a roundtable discussion with members of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) in Abuja.
The theme of the roundtable was, “National Interest versus National Security: A Quest for Responsible Journalism.”
He stated that the event was organised to address the existing gaps in military-media relations, emphasising the necessity of building trust.
“Both parties need to find a method to move forward, and that is why the centre is informing the DHQ and the services about the gaps identified by media practitioners, especially defence correspondents.
“There is a need for them to close the gaps on their side, while the media should also be considerate in their reportage, keeping national security in mind,” he said.
Wahab highlighted that the military must engage with the three essential layers: the defence correspondents, the guild of editors, and media owners.
He stressed that all layers must collaborate with the military to effectively project national interests and ensure national security.
“We must continue our dialogue with you, but the guild of editors needs to be involved at some point, alongside the owners of these organisations.
“We need to identify those we believe should interface with each of these strata and establish common ground so that all three can engage in regular discussions.
“Otherwise, if the owners communicate with the minister or CDS but do not pass the message down to the guild of editors, then the efforts would be futile,” he added.
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Earlier, during his welcome address, the Chairman of DECAN, Ismaii Musa from NTA, represented the Vice Chairman, Sifon Essien from TVC and said that the Defence Correspondents Association stands in solidarity with the Director General of the Army Resource Centre in strengthening the partnership between the media and the military, uniting efforts against terrorism, crime, and all forms of criminality.
“As members of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria, we pledge to work closely with you as custodians of journalistic integrity. We commit to collaborating with the Ministry of Defence, military formations, and institutions to enhance national security through effective, investigative, and balanced reportage.
“We acknowledge the tireless efforts of the armed forces in securing our beloved nation and will continue to highlight these sacrifices,” he stated.
He noted that, given the sensitive nature of their assignments, they maintain periodic engagement with the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces, and the Office of the National Security Advisor to address issues related to national security and the welfare of their members.
“We are also reorganising and strategising our coverage of defence matters to ensure smooth reporting of military operations and the efforts of our troops. Today’s roundtable discussion, themed ‘National Interest vs National Security.”
He pointed out that the quest for responsible journalism, hosted by the Centre of Excellence and the Director-General, Major General Garba Wahab, is a testament to their commitment to national security and nation-building.
“Through this platform, we issue a clarion call for responsible and development-focused journalism in the interest of Nigeria. This is not merely a speech-making event, but a call to action.
“Let us hit the ground running in our collective drive to make Nigeria a safer and better place,” he said.
He added that the Director General has not only been a leader but also a guiding figure, one who encourages them to practise their profession with the nation’s interests at heart.
Furthermore, he emphasised the importance of not only fulfilling their roles as journalists but also conducting themselves as true professionals, exploring all ethical dimensions that promote good and healthy journalism.
Following this, there was an interactive session with the Director General.
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