By Okosun Dennis
The inevitability of the media has been further stressed as the Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore Paul Ponfa Nimmyel has described the media as occupying a strategic arm in military operations hence it must help to tell their story in order to mitigate misinformation.
He disclosed this on Thursday evening, 13th February, at the NNS Beecroft Lagoon Bar, Apapa, while hosting a gamut of Defence Correspondents. He commended the media gurus for their robust reportage and always identifying with the force.
The well attended “meet and greet” engagement had in attendance principal officers of the command.
Cdre Nimmyel reiterated that in their operations, “we have what we call media line of operations as the media can be used both positively and negatively,” emphasizing that is a powerful tool that can be used to silence adversaries without firing a shot.
“I have been in the North East in the last two and half years and seen what the insurgents do with their media platform and when you send such messages to communities that are not well informed, or communities that don’t get other side of the story, the effects are enormous and damaging.”
NNS Beecroft Commander noted with enthusiasm that “Information is very critical,” explaining that “if you hesitate to tell your own side of the story, the press will tell it for you,” hence under his command, as much as possible, he would ensure that prompt information concerning activities in the Command are made available to the media.”
He commended the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla for finding him worthy to be appointed as the Commander of the premier command where the Nigerian Navy berthed.
As human beings, he observed, there could be altercation in the line of duty. We would try to admonish our personnel that ours is to defend you and not to brutalize you. Therefore, as law abiding force, we are here to protect you,” Commodore Nimmyel re-emphasized.
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