Army trains personnel on the ‘use of social media to improve security’

The Nigerian army (NA) has organised a social media awareness campaign for its personnel to improve on security in the country.

The training which was held on Monday at the army’s 6 division in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, had the theme, “Emergence of citizen journalism: Enhancing national security and cohesion through responsible media reportage by NA personnel.”

Onyema Nwachukwu, army spokesperson, in a statement, said the training, which was put together by the army’s directorate of public relations, was the third of its series. 

He said lack of caution in the use of social media by personnel of the army could have implications on national security, the army’s operations, and reputation.

He asked the personnel to see themselves as the faces of the army and charged them to avoid implicating themselves and the organisation with the wrong use of social media. 

Nwachukwu said the workshop would teach them how “professionally executed strategic communication can help the army overcome public condemnation and reputational crises arising from ignorant use of social media.”

On his part, Olufemi Oluyede, general officer commanding (GOC) of 6 division, urged the troops to take advantage of the training to enhance national security and cohesion.

He called on personnel to engage in activities that will positively project the image of the army and shun all forms of indulgence that could compromise the security of military operations.

Also speaking, Bobby Ugiagbe, a brigadier general, identified constituents of social media abuse and enlightened the troops on steps to prevent such misuse.

He encouraged them to study the armed forces’ social media policy as a guide on the appropriate use of social media.

The army had, in March 2021, cautioned its personnel against making unauthorised posts on social media, saying personnel found wanting would be punished.

Also in June, the army organised a seminar for social media influencers, bloggers and online journalists to foster harmonious and civil military-civilian relations.