Defence Chief Calls on Nigerians to demonstrate Sense of Patriotism

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has called on Nigerians to take ownership of the country by projecting it in a better light and demonstrating a sense of patriotism.

He said relying heavily on kinetic means in the traditional notion of war is being relegated with the application of non kinetic approaches to project power and solve problems.

General Musa stated this while addressing participants at a One Day Seminar organised by the Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DECAN), at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.

The workshop had as its theme ‘CIVIL MILITARY RELATIONS: NON-KINETIC EFFORTS OF THE NIGERIAN MILITARY IN SECURITY MANAGEMENT, CHALLENGES, AND PROSPECTS.’

The Defence Chief said the seminar provides an invaluable platform for the military and the Corespondents to engage in meaningful discourse on the most pressing issue facing the nation, particularly in the realm of security.

“I want to state that tackling threats in Nigeria is a continuous process whereby the development of resilience at societal, national and regional levels plays a key role.

“The challenges are enormous all over, but we must look at the positive as well as speak well of our country.”

The Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), Major General Garba Wahab (rtd) in a remark said it seems an average Nigerian doesn’t understand the working of security and its sensitivity, hence there is need for better understanding.

He commended the relationship between the military and the correspondents, urging all to come together to work effectively for the sake of national security.

The Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, emphasized that the security is a role for everyone to play while the Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau called on members of DECAN to always engage the military and report the Armed Forces and the nation in positive light.

Other valuable resource persons who spoke at the event included former Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Kukasheka Usman (rtd) who said the media have been the vanguard of keeping the public informed.

Papers delivered by Group Captain Sadeeq Shehu (rtd) highlights how media influences security operations.
A Second Paper was delivered by the Director General and Chief Executive Officer, Voice of Nigeria titled military Media Relations in The Age Of “Durable Disorder”.