Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar 33rd Edition: Military tasks Social Media Users, Bloggers on encouraging national unity and security through posts, contents

The Nigerian Army has tasked Social Media Influencers, Users and Bloggers on accurate reportage and to desist from posting fake News and other harmful or negative content on the social media space.

The Military through its department of Civil Military Affairs made this known at the 33rd Edition of the Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar in Aba with the theme “Enhancing National Security through the Responsible Use of Social Media”.

Speaking during the event, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and Force Commander Joint Task Force South East Operations UDOKA, Major General Hassan Taiwo Dada cautioned Social media users and Bloggers against heating up the polity and setting society on fire with their postings on the social media space in their desperation to generate traffic on their walls, pages or blog sites. He called on those using the social media to desist from sharing contents that sow discord and spread disinformation.

According to Major General Dada “a threat to national security might result from inappropriate social media use” adding that “The Seminar’s purpose is “to provide a veritable platform to keep our youths abreast of the Nigerian Army activities which are geared towards ensuring safer environment for development to thrive.”

The Director, Psychological Operations Department of Civil Military Affairs of the Nigerian Army Brigadier General Bola Saheed Keji in his opening remarks, emphasised that the seminar’s primary goal is to bring together young bloggers, social media influencers, and content creators with the intention of leveraging their platforms to bolster the Nigerian Army’s operations and advance national security. ‘

Also present was a seasoned Nollywood Actor Mr. Osita Iheme, a.k.a Pawpaw, who called on participants to back the military’s attempts to bring peace to Abia, Southeast and Nigeria in general by educating their followers on Social Media space on the dangers of misinformation and posting contents capable of dividing the Nigerian populace.

The first Paper presentation on the topic ” Curtailing Negative Contents on Social Media: Responsibility of Users” was handled by the resource person Dr Ehiz Odigie while the second “Fake News on Social Media and its effect on National Security” was handled by Prof. UJ Ogbonna.

The event which saw the presence of over 300 media influencers/Bloggers also witnessed a question and answer session between the Nigerian Army and the Participants. Certificates of Attendance were also issued to participants.

Dailytrailnews reports that the seminar was attended by the Dean of Combat Support Arms and Research at the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre in Abuja, Major General TT Numbere, Brigadier General OO Diya, Commander of the 14th Brigade, Captain OA Eyitayo of the Nigerian Navy College of Accounts and Finance, the heads of other security agencies, as well as participants and invited guests from Abia State.