NASPRI: The Imperative of Military Training on Public Relations By Kennedy Anyanwu

NASPRI: The Imperative of Military Training on Public Relations By Kennedy Anyanwu

Training as the saying goes is an integral part of any work force which seeks to achieve maximum standards of productivity among its workers. Lack of training and re-training breeds redundancy which further translates to low or no productivity. The need for training therefore cannot be over emphasized.
It is based on this assertion that the Nigerian Army, over the years laid more emphasis on the training of its personnel so as to defend its mandate of protecting the territorial integrity of the nation. No wonder it is commonly said that “We train more in peace time and work less in war times”. The notion simply proves that training adds more knowledge, widen the horizon and amplify the practicability of troops to keep them mentally fit and alert when in a common ground with the adversary.

Recently, the Directorate of Army Public Relations (DAPR) in conjunction with the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) as part of effort to ensure its officers and soldiers of the Directorate are well equipped with the modus operandi of the Information Operations and current trends on Media Operations organized a Five Days Media Operations Workshop.

The workshop as one of the approved training directives is aimed at Enhancing Collaboration Between Security Agencies and Capacity Building in Information Management for DAPR Officers, Commanding Officers, Defence Correspondents and Online Publishers.
The workshop, held at the Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare School Auditorium, Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri, Abuja with the theme “Harnessing the Potential of Media for Effective Military Operations Within a Joint Environment” had papers presented and delivered by seasoned resource persons from within and outside the military circle.

A total of seven lectures were delivered during the period with the first titled “Contemporary Security Challenges: Changing the Narrative Through the Use of New Media and Multimedia tools in a Joint Environment” and was delivered by Maj Gen AC Olukolade (Rtd). It was followed by the second lecture delivered by Brig Gen SK Usman (Rtd), titled “The Role/Importance of Crises Communication During Internal Security Operations in Nigeria”.
Other resource persons who also delivered well researched lectures includes, prof Rotimi Oladele, Prof Cosmos Eze from ABU Zaria, Alh Jibrin Baba Ndace, the DG of Voice of Nigeria, Dr Suraj Olunifesi Adekunle from UNILAG, Prof Samaila Mande and Prof Abdullahi Bashir from UNIABUJA. The lectures were crowned with discussion session which featured top media executives led by Colonel Mustapha Anka (Rtd), interactive session where questions, contributions and observations were entertained.

Earlier, the Special Guest of Honour, The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja ably represented by The Commander Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command, Maj Gen Adeleke Ayannuga, declared the workshop opened and described it as timely, having considered the current security environment which is characterized by various negative forms of information manoeuvre. He however, called on media practitioners to partner with the DAPR in dissemination of accurate and verified reports to foster peace and unity as success have so far been recorded through effective media cooperation. He also urged all participants to tap from the wealth of experience of resource persons which he described as credible.

In his welcome address, the Acting Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information, Lieutenant Colonel Adamu Ngulde, said the workshop was to discuss contemporary media and security issues, in view of the importance of media in modern warfare. He also noted the importance of Commanders and Spokesmen to avoid media hostility and antagonism, as it would pose great threat to the success of military operations.

Highlights of the event include presentation of souvenirs and photographs.