Army commends media support in fight against insurgency
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday in Abuja, commended the media for its support in the fight against insurgency, saying their support had been tremendous.
The acting Director, Army Public Relations Officer, Col. Sani Usman, made the remark at a workshop on Conflict Sensitive Reporting for National Development, organized for journalists by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
“I must tell you that the Nigerian media and including their international counterparts have been doing marvelous work.
“In fact, we are partners in progress in terms of the fight against terrorism and insurgency. They have disseminated information, enlighten the public and I think they are supposed to be commended for their tremendous support,” he said.
Usman explained that the military had succeeded in defeating the Boko Haram terrorists. “So far so good, we have succeeded in defeating the Boko Haram terrorists but that notwithstanding, we still have some remnants of them.
“We are doing clearance operation especially from the southern and northern part of Borno and of course, their stronghold in Sambisa and on a daily basis, we have been making tremendous progress.
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According to him, just this morning, some of the Boko Haram members were killed at Buga, Pulka and Bita. “About 18 of them were killed and we made a recovery of vehicles, weapons, arm and ammunition and we will continue to do that,” the Army spokesman said.
Earlier, the Director-General of IPCR, Prof. Oshita Oshita, said journalists were critical in peace building and conflict resolution in the country.
Oshita, however, said that to effectively carry out its roles in national development, journalists’ capacity needed to be built regularly.
He called on journalists to focus on reporting peace initiatives rather than on violent conflicts.
Also speaking, the Director-General, National Institute for Hospitality & Tourism (NIHOTOUR), Mrs Chika Balogun, called for insurance for journalists covering conflict zones.
“There is the need for insurance for journalists covering the conflicts zones in view of the risks they face daily.
“Apart from expecting the hot news, the media houses should also provide protection for them because they have families and dependants,”she said.
According to her, the practice of journalism deserves the highest form of patriotism as it requires skill and knowledge in reporting conflict.
Dr Jacob Udo, resource person at the occasion took the participants on Conflict-Resolving Journalism Practice.
Udo, Chairman, Communications and Multi-Media Design, School of Arts and Sciences, American University of Nigeria, Yola, tasked journalists on in-depth peace-building and solution-oriented reportage.
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