By Ngozi Nwankwo
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger State Council, Comrade Abu Nmodu has underscored the importance of entrenching Strategic Information Management mechanism for enhanced Army Public Relations practice.
Nmodu stated this during a familiarisation visit paid on him by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Training and Doctrine Command, Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA), Lt. Col. Sani Uba at the IBB Pen House in Minna.
The Chairman described the Nigerian Army as a Strategic organisation that has earned for itself a global recognition in the discharge of its constitutional role which according to him, deserves support of not only Journalists but well meaning Nigerians.
Nmodu said the practicing Journalists in Niger State under the umbrella of NUJ have an impeccable record of practicing responsible journalism and therefore, assured the Army of unalloyed support and cooperation to achieve desired results.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt. Col. Sani Uba said the visit was aimed at cementing the already existing relationship between the two organisations especially in the area of media and publicity as well as information dissemination.
The Deputy Director appealed to Journalists to always seek for clarification on any Army related issue before going to press adding that doing so will go along way in checking fake news, misinformation and disinformation.
Sani Uba described TRADOC as an annex of the Army Headquarters stressing that it was important for members of the Pen Profession to understand the formations and operations of the Nigeria Army in order to enhance accurate and reliable Army related information dissemination.
“The TRADOC now has changed. It’s unlike the TRADOC that we used to know. TRADOC is saddled with the responsibility of Training the personnel of the Nigerian Army by building their capacity and resourcefulness to enable them to play their role at any level of the Nigeria Army especially in the area of examination.
“The TRADOC conducts examination for the Officers including Lieutenants and Captains usually on quarterly basis to build capacity of the soldiers. The TRADOC also engages in conducting conferences, seminars and workshops to enhance Army-Public Relations,” said Lt. Col Sani.
He described NUJ as a big umbrella body of pen professionals who according to him are critical stakeholders in shaping public perception, fostering dialogue between the Military and civil populace as well dissemination of Army related information hence the need for support and cooperation of the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.