Minister advocates review of military information dissemination strategy

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji

Mohammed made the call at the opening of a workshop for Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Thursday.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ayotunde Adesugba, the minister said the review had become necessary to better inform Nigerians on military operations.

Mohammed said the success of internal security operations by the military was largely dependent on public support and cooperation which must be anchored by the media.

He said the nature of insurgency in the north east, militancy in the Niger Delta, kidnappings and herdsmen/farmers clashes, required prompt and correct information from the public for the military to contain.

`` Nigerian Armed Forces have over time discharged its internal security operations creditably.

``What remains is for the civilian populace to rise to the security situation in our land by mobilising support for security forces.

``To achieve this, I will recommend the review of the military’s public information strategy to enlighten Nigerians about the important roles the military have been asked to play in the country."

The minister commended the efforts of the armed forces in containing insurgency in the past one year and pledged the ministry's support for the military at all times.

Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin solicited improved media support for the military's operations across the country.

He said the workshop was apt given the myriad of challenges facing the military in its operations across the country and the north east in particular.

Olonisakin assured the media of a better working environment with the military but urged for greater understanding from the media.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that journalists covering the defence beat attended the workshop.