USE SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSIBLY NOT TO JEOPARDIZE PERSONAL, OPERATIONAL SECURITY – 8 DIV GOC

…DAPR CALLS FOR EFFECTIVE USAGE

In a bid to enhance the perspective of personnel on the effective and positive use of Social Media (SM), the Directorate of Army Public Relations has taken its advocacy on SM to 8 Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).

The theme for the workshop: “Emergence of Citizens Journalism: Enhancing National Security and Cohesion through Responsible Media Reportage by Nigerian Army Personnel,” was held at Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai Auditorium, Headquarters 8 Division, Giginya Barracks, Sokoto on Thursday, 2022.

Declaring the workshop open, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Major General Uwem Bassey, who was represented by Brigadier General Aminu Abdullahi, charged the participants to internalize lessons learnt in the workshop and effectively use social media to promote the image and reputation of the NA.

He urged participants to use social media responsibly without jeopardizing their personal and operational security. He further charged all to collectively mitigate the challenges associated with the negative use of social media, which he said has huge implications on operational engagements and national security. He lauded the Directorate of Army Public Relations for seizing the initiative to embark on the advocacy drive to raise the level of awareness of the personnel.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu stated that the workshop was organized to basically upscale the understanding of personnel of the NA on the use of social media. This he said, is necessary to effectively employ social media as a force multiplier for ongoing military operations to positively change the narrative in support of the NA and its operations.

The workshop had two lectures delivered by Brigadier General Bobby Ugiagbe and Jibrin Baba Ndace, both of who pointed out in their respective presentation, that Social Media is a two-edged sword with the potential for both positive and negative usage that could positively or negatively impact the image of the NA.