…it was during a Seminar on Social Media hosted by the Nigerian Army in Aba, Abia State

The Nigerian military has issued a call to all social media users, via the Department of Civil Military Affairs at Army Headquarters, to think about ways to improve national security while using these platforms.

Distinguished guests, including General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and Force Commander Joint Task Force South East Operations UDOKA, Major General Hassan Taiwo Dada, offered the opening remarks at the 33rd edition of the Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar.

The event was held in Aba and the surrounding areas of Abia State and was attended by social media influencers, content creators, online media practitioners, bloggers, and youths.

A threat to national security might result from inappropriate social media use, according to Major General Dada. He beseeched everyone using social media to refrain from sharing content that sows discord and disinformation.

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.”

In his opening remarks, Brigadier General Bola Saheed Keji, Director of Psychological Operations in the Department of Civil Military Affairs, 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. ‘

“Enhancing National Security through the responsible use of social media’ is the theme of the 33rd Edition of the Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar in Aba”, he said, “and its goal is to improve connections between the army and the people of Nigeria Using the different handles”, he urged the participant to educate their followers.

Mr. Osita Iheme, a.k.a Pawpaw, a seasoned actor in Nigerian, also exhorted his fellow Abians to seize the moment rather than squander it.
“In order for prosperity to flourish, Abians should back the military’s attempts to bring peace to the region”.

Papers were provided by two resource individuals. Professor Joshua Ogbonna’s “Fake News on Social Media and Its Effects on National Security” and Dr. Ehiz Odigie’s “Curtailing Negative Content on Social Media: Responsibilities of Users” were the first and second, respectively.

Lieutenant Colonel OI Kolawole organised an interactive session to shed additional light on the two papers.

Over 300 media influencers attended the seminar, which aimed to clarify concerns surrounding the activities of the Nigerian Army. The discussion was enhanced by questions, replies, and comments.

The seminar is being attended by distinguished individuals such as 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.

At its conclusion, the seminar culminated with the distribution of mementos to the dignitaries in attendance, the recognition of outstanding media influencers, and a group portrait.