Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima takes over as Army Spokesman; says NA under Gen Attahiru will be open to constructive criticism in support of military operations against enemies of the country.

The new Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima on Wednesday assumed office with a disclosure that the Nigerian Army under the leadership of Major General Ibrahim Attahiru as COAS, will be open to constructive engagements and criticisms that will support the military operations against the enemies of the country. 

The new Director made this known just saw he stated that ‘the Nigerian media, the vibrant fourth estate of the realm, is an indispensable partner with the military in the protection and preservation of Nigerian project.

Speaking during the handing and taking over ceremony between him and his predecessor, Brigadier General Sagir Musa, Yerima said, “The Nigerian Army under the current Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, values your partnership and cooperation.

“The COAS, who was once in this position, is ever so determined to sustain the enduring relationship with the media through trust, respect and mutual understanding.

“On my own part as the spokesman of the Nigerian Army, I assure you that my doors will be open at all times in order to respond to your enquiries. My team and I will do all we can to make your job of informing Nigerians much easier. I am just a phone call or text away. 

Furthermore, Brig-Gen Yerima said, “I find it not only providential but very pleasing to be united once again with you all, my great friends in the media. 

“It feels really good to be back in another relationship with this very vibrant constituency that I have come to love and cherish. So, I whole heartedly welcome all to this maiden interaction with you in my capacity as the Director, Army Public Relations. 

“As you all know, we have come a long way, in terms of our professional relationship and patriotic duty to our fatherland. The better part of my career in the military have been devoted to this very important relationship with the media and I have always cherished the idea of working with you to give our people the right information about the military and its operations. 

“We did it together in my previous assignments but more nostalgic was my warm and cordial relationship with you during my time as the Director of Defence Information at the Defence Headquarters. 

“Now, providence and call of duty have once again brought us together and I am genuinely happy to work with the Nigerian media. As we all know, the Nigerian media, the vibrant fourth estate of the realm, is an indispensable partner with military in the protection and preservation of Nigerian project. 

“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that through the patriotic discharge of our different constitutional obligations, our country remains secured, peaceful and progressive.

“I have no doubt in my mind that the Nigerian media is very patriotic and that they understand that it behooves on all Nigerians, even more on the media, to contribute their own quota to ensure that we defeat the enemies of Nigerian state who are intent on destroying the country via insecurity.

“As you all know, nothing boosts the morale of our fighting troops more than the solidarity of all Nigerians, especially media reports that ginger their zeal and fighting spirit and sacrifice to the nation. So, I urge you to be very mindful of that and to always remember that their victory is the victory of all Nigerians. 

“We shall be open to constructive engagements and criticisms that will support the military operations against the enemies of the country.”

Earlier Brig – Gen Sagir Musa thanked the former COAS, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai and the Nigerian Army for the opportunity given him to serve as Director of the Corps for over two years especially this period of myriads of security challenges.

He thanked the current COAS, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru for his new posting to the Nigerian Army Training Centre (NANTRAC) as a member of the training team.

He urged officers and soldiers of the directorate of Army Public Relations to extend all the cooperation needed to Brigadier General Yerima.

Present at the ceremony were the President Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Surajo Muktar and Assistant Comptroller General of Custom, ACP Wale Adeniyi among others.

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