By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Theatre Commander , Joint Task Force (JTF) North-East Operation Hadin kai (OPHK), Major General Gold Chibuisi has commended the efforts and objective reportage of defense correspondents in Borno covering joint operations of the Nigerian military in the counter insurgency fight against Boko Haram insurgents in the north east and Lake Chad Basin region.
Major General Chibuisi also assured of continuos cordial relationship with the media as critical and strategic stakeholders in the restoration peace in the region.
He stressed that the role of the media can not be over emphasized in nation and peace building any where in the world as the media shape the opinions of the people and influence views of the people in the society.
Maj. General Chibuisi, who stated this Tuesday evening when he hosted the journalists at a media parley to rub minds and consolidate in the existing working relationship towards sustaining peace in the region.
He urged the media to continue to give the military operations their objective and positive reportage as well support the peace building and restoration process of the Nigerian military by further advocating the peace mission and instigate voluntary surrender of the remaining insurgents in the bush through their editorials.
The Theater Commander, however, explained further that as Nigerians and critical stakeholders in national peace and nation building, both the military and media practitioners are critical and strategic partners in progress in protecting the integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria.
“I welcome you all to this historic and Important parley, looking at how significant and crucial the media is to the operational successes of Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI. The desire by the command of operation HADIN KAI to play host to media parley with defense correspondents and representatives of other media organisations in the North East is crucial and tailored towards building stronger synergy for peace to thrive in the North East Region.
“The command has recognised the crucial role played by the media not just in disseminating information to the people but also in educating and shaping the ideology of the populace and the society at large.
“This parley, is an integral part of the non-kinetic approach and this is among other reasons why we need an improved synergy to achieve this together. Let me remind you that Nigeria remains the only country that we have and you must therefore do everything within the law and ethics of your profession to build, nurture and sustain the peace at all cost.
“Choosing to hold this parley at this crucial time is to showcase the jointness and collaboration among the military, critical stakeholders and the media regarding our operational activities. Permit me to state that the Kinetic approach in any asymmetric war constitutes just about 20 percent.
“Your efforts in passing the right information, and sensitising the civil populace in support of our operations as part of the peace effort constitutes the non-kinetic approach to the Counter insurgency operations,” Chibuisi said.
On his part, The Borno State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Dauda Iliya, who spoke on behalf of the journalists assured the theatre commander of maximum cooperation and support.
Comrade IIiya stressed that the defense correspondents in the state have been working assiduously in good relationship with the Nigerian military and other security agencies in the past and will maintain the tempo.
He noted that the good rapport with the military, and other security agents for long can never be over emphasized, where past theater commanders and COAS as well as the CDS have acknowledged the role of the media and honoured some of the defense correspondents with gold medals for their excellent reportage and sacrifices following troops to the war fronts for media coverage.
Dauda added that the media parley will foster more collaboration between the military and the media professionals in covering activities of the military in the counter insurgency fight against the insurgents and other criminals terrorizing the country.
He further appreciated the theater commander’s initiative to host the media practitioners to rub minds.
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