SEMINAR: Army Charges Abia Media Practitioners On Fake News, Upholding Military's Image

The Nigerian Army gave this charge during it's 24th edition of social media influencers seminar in Umuahia, Abia State which accommodated online media practitioners, conventional media practitioners, social media influencers, Civil Society Organisations, and security personnel.

In his address, Major General M.G. Kangye, the chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigerian Army, represented by brigadier general Hillary Ikenna Maduegwu, director of civil security affairs, Abuja headquarters, described the seminar as a medium for the Nigerian Army to interact with the social media community which is expected to in turn, help eradicate fake news and educate the masses on the fight against insecurity.

"The social media plays crucial role in promoting peace in the country" Kangye noted.

He called on the media to help the Nigerian Army fight fake news and also bridge the gap between the military and civilians even as the military has adopted various schemes to that effect .

Kangye lauded the efforts of the gallant troops of the Nigerian Army in combating insecurity which he said has yielded more result.

On his own part, colonel Ogunsanya, the acting director of information management Army headquarters, department of Civil-Military Affairs noted that the seminar which was incepted in October 2018 and rotates round the 36 states of the federation including the FCT, is a scheme to help eradicate the bad perception of the Nigerian Army and fake news.

He encouraged Nigerians to call the toll free line, 193 to report any abuse of human rights by any military personnel .

Lecturing on fake news syndrome, a public affairs analyst, Mr Chiemeziem Anyadike, charged the media to use their various platforms effectively to counter fake news which can cause uproar in the society.

Some recommendations given to the Nigerian army on combating fake news and maintaining cordial Civil-Military relationship include;

- media partnership to propagate the achievements of the Nigerian Army and also fight fake news.
- good management of the social media handles of the Nigerian Army
- community services in areas where there had been clashes between civilians and the military.
- training personnel on civil-military relationship
- adopting social and civil activities like sports skit making among personnel
- film making, documenting the achievements of the military, among others.