By Augustine Aminu
Nigerian Army has sought the cooperation of the Social Media lnfluencers and Online Bloggers on the need to educate the general public on dangers of misinformation and fake news syndrome.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt – Gen Faruk Yahaya, who was ably represented by the Chief of Civil- Military Affairs, Major General Markus Kangye, stated this today, 22 August 2022 in Benin-City,2 Edo State during the 22nd Edition of the Social Media Seminar. The Seminar with the theme, “The Nigerian Army’s Non-Kinetic Lines of Operation: Critical Roles of the Social Media”, is aimed at Strengthening the Nigerian Army’s Civil- Military Cooperation and curbing the menace of the fake news syndrome.
In his opening address, Maj Gen Markus Kangye further stressed that the Social Media Seminar was an avenue to interact with the civil populace to foster a harmonious and cordial civil-military relations.
General Kangye added that the Seminar which started in 2018 has begun to achieve its desired goals. He therereafter called on Social Media lnfluencers/Bloggers and Online Journalists to rally support for the Nigerian Army in order to achieve the desired end-state.
General Kangye said further that, “achieving the desired level of security involves all of societal approach. Therefore, we all have our various roles to play in the promotion of peace and security in our dear country.”
During the Seminar, there were 2 lectures presentation. The first lecture titled, “Fake News Syndrome and Perception Management in the Nigerian Army” was presented by Miss Flora Bossey, a Management Staff of Edo State Broadcasting Corporation. The Second lecture titled; “Leveraging the Social Media as a Non-Kinetic Tool in Joint Operations Environment; lmperatives of Civil-Military Cooperation was delivered by Brig Gen EF Oyinlola, Director Special Services, Army Headquarters Department of Special Services and Programmes.
The 22nd Edition of the Social Media Seminar which took place at Golden Tullip Essential Hotel Benin-City, Edo State was held by Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs in collaboration with Security Affairs Limited.
In attendance were the Commander Operations WHIRL STROKE Major General Kelvin Aligbe, Commander Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command Major General A Adamu, Chief Executive Officer Security Affairs Limited Ambassador Austin Peacemaker, Representative of the Commander 4 Brigade Nigerian Army, Heads of Security Agencies as well as Heads of various civil society organisations in Edo State.
Highlights of the event include Question and Answer Session, Presentation of Souvenirs and Certificates to the participants and the Group Photograph.