Military trains spokesmen on effective information management

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, said this on Monday while declaring open a three-day workshop to sensitise Directors of Army Public Relations in Maduguri.

Burutai, who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Yushau Abubakar, the Theater Commander, said the training was necessary as the key requirement towards attainment of the vision of the Nigerian Army.

He said that the Nigerian Army in conjunction with other security agencies have reached a very important stage in the war against terrorists.

"Having contend their operations to desperate, albeit murderous suicide acts and attacks on soft targets, with a few futile attempts to portray themselves as coherent face.

“We will continue to engage them in fierce battle and mob them up until they are completely wipe out.

"We are determined to achieve this within the time frame given by Mr President," said Burutai.

The COAS therefore called on citizens, particularly journalists and media practitioners, to partner with the Nigerian Army in the collective efforts to bring to an end the menace of Boko Haram insurgency.

In his remarks, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno, said “proudly, our security personnel have displayed professionalism, gallantry and heroism in the task given to them".

Represented by Alhaji Usman Shuwa, the Secretary to the State Government, Shettima said information was a vital part of the operations of the Army in most countries of the world.

"It is through it that government can assess it performances as well as predicting future events.

"I salute your courage and also sympathised with all those that lost their loved ones in a bid to restore peace to their fatherland.

“Today information is accepted as an important factor in the sustained development of any society, because it reduces uncertainty and enhances awareness of possible actions use in solving problems.

"On the contrary, when information is inaccurate, inaccessible or incomplete, countries may suffer from financial lose, low productivity and numerous security challenges," Shettima said.