The role and impact of the media in shaping public opinion has been recognised by the Nigerian Army as pivotal to national development.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, made this assertion on at Command Guest House Sokoto during the Nigerian Army Fourth Quarter Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Media Chat with the theme “Media as a Force Multiplier in NA Operations”.
General Lagbaja, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander North-West Operation HADARIN DAJI, Major General Godwin Mutkut, said the Army’s CIMIC Media Chat is a platform designed to provide a conducive atmosphere for engagement and dialogue with media practitioners.
This he said is in other to exchange valuable information and ideas for the benefits of common prosperity. While expatiating on the aptness of the Media Chat, the COAS observed that the media chat provides a rare opportunity to engage various media practitioners and influencers which would be beneficial to the Nigerian Army and the media.
The Army Chief stressed that the essence and desire for peace and security require proper harnessing of the collective strength of all well-meaning individuals and organisations by dealing with contemporary security challenges in Nigeria. 
This encompasses the collective strength of all individuals and organisations synergising in a whole of nation approach to defeating the enemy.
He reiterated that apart from cementing cordial relationships and keeping media practitioners informed, it also serves as a means of dispelling rumours, thereby providing accurate and timely information to the media as practised globally.
The COAS said the Nigerian Army has taken delivery of some modern equipment and other combat enablers while the provision of more has been finalised. 
“The new addition to our operational capacity have been deployed and their effects are being witnessed across various theatres of operations, measures have emplaced to ensure that our troops are well trained and constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
He reassured the nation of the unalloyed loyalty of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
