The Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), Major General Faruk Yahaya addressing Borno State's Journalists during a luncheon organised by the Command's Headquarters Maiduguri,
By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri-
The Nigeria Army, Theater Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD), Major General Faruk Yahaya has called on the media to support the ongoing counter insurgency operations to rid Boko Haram terrorists out of the country.
Maj.-Gen. Yahaya made the call on Saturday, during a luncheon organised by the Theater Command’s Headquarters Maiduguri, in honour of the troops’ sacrifices and the role of the media community in Borno State.
He expressed appreciation to the media for their efforts and sacrifices in giving operational coverage, while describing the Borno State’s journalists as a critical stakeholders and combat journalists in the fight against terrorism.
The Theater Commander added that media as the fourth estate of the realm are important sets that no leadership cannot do without.
“The military operation requires the media which informed the event in order to interact and synergize with each other. As stakeholders in our field, the media has credibly enhanced military operations effectively”, he said
Maj.-Gen further charged the media practitioners to be objective and factual in the discharge of their social responsibility to the society.
According to him, this would however require building if trust and confidence between the military and media as dependable and reliable partners through effective display its skills and competence in support of the military operations in the North east.
“Media should make effort to deny the criminals what they need most, which is publicity. In fact, I am impressed with our gathering and interaction with senior officers of the theater command”.
“This is an opportunity for us to understand ourselves and synergize on how we can continue to work together effectively and smoothly no matter our respective challenges. I know we have challenges and you also have challenges. Everybody have challenges” Yahaya said.
The Theater Commander further appealed for constant interaction between the operation Lafiya Dole authorities and the press for better understanding of military activities, roles and functions in order to improve on the existing working relationship and synergy.
The luncheon attracted various members of the media community in Borno State which include: members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Correspondents Chapel, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, SWAN and online media practitioners among other media stakeholders.
He also pledged that similar interactive session would be held every quarter of the year to consolidate on the established cordial and peaceful working relationship between the media and the military in the North-East Command of the Theater Headquarters.