The Military through its Ministry of Civil Affairs had its 5th edition seminar on the Role of Social Media in Civil Military Relations as a Non-Kinetic Tool for Enhanced Peace and Security in Nigeria for the first time in Jos, Plateau State representing the North-East geopolitical zone and had in attendance social media influencers as well bloggers. The seminar first took place in Port Harcourt representing the South-South Zone and its meant to go round the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria in order to sensitize all social media influencers and bloggers on the use of the social media positively.
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| My humble self, The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Usman Mohammed and Pastor Ayo David Oluwasola |
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| Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Usman Mohammed |
In his opening remark, The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Usman Mohammed first thanked God for the program being held in Jos then stated that the seminar which held in Jos was a follow up of the successful previous seminars held in other geopolitical zones. In his statement, he said, the military is not unaware of the gap between the military and the public hence its partnership with social media influencers who according to him, have the power to influence the social media positively. He said, the conception of the public about the military is more that of guns and the media is overblown with such image of the military in a negative narrative stating that, the military is hardly celebrated when it carries out successful projects and operations such as its fight against insurgency but that once a military personnel is killed by an insurgent then it goes viral on social media due to the scary headlines given citing the case of the colonel who was killed alongside other soldiers few days back. He advised, social media users make their headlines friendly putting into consideration spouses, children, siblings, parents and other relatives of the slain heroes.
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| Director of Information Management, Social Media Affairs, A A GONI |
The Director of Information Management, Social Media Affairs, A A Goni, in his speech defined the Civil Military Cooperation as " The operational function which aims at improving the relation between the Armed forces, other security Agencies and Civil Actors in fulfilment of the mission by winning the hearts and minds of the civil populace especially during operations, Crisis, and Conflicts" and then gave the objectives of the interaction which include;
- To partner with social media influencers as well as bloggers in winning the minds of of the civil populace.
- To discuss the effects/techniques of hate speech on national security.
- Exchange of ideas to enhance peace and security.
- To introduce and transmit the core elements of effective Civil Military Relations in the areas of interpersonal and organizational bonding, rule of law, accountability and conflict management.
- To enhance the value and integrity of the Nigerian Army as an agent, protector and defender of the community and national interest through productive and national interest through proactive and civil military relations education and interactions.
A A Goni went on to state the Roles of the Nigerian Army Department of Civil Military Affairs which include;
- Liaison with Government authorities and local leaders within operational environment.
- Liaison with the local civilian populace such as refugees or internally displaced persons.
- Coordinate all activities of actors in a conflict environment especially civil organization and nongovernmental organizations , this is achieved through civil military cooperation.
- Act as interface between the multiple civilian population/organizations and the mission commanders by conducting both inter organizational and inter agency coordination in order to facilitate the achievement of the commander's mission.
- Civil military cooperation also assists operational commanders to achieve their mission
Ant the means of achieving these roles, he stated include;
- Human rights advocacy
- Information management
- Planning
- Military information support operations.
The department intends to achieve the above mentioned roles through;
- Civil Military cooperation
- Regular visits
- Effective liaison
- Advisory roles
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Field studies and assessments
Like every other organization, the military and civil military relations also has its own which Goni stated as follows;
- Distrust by the society due to previous involvement of the military in Governance often resulting in mistrusts, suspicion and hostility.
- Inadequate feedback mechanism or communication flow between the military and civilians. This has however improved over the last couple of months.
- Disregard for the rule of law by some members of the military
- Wrong perception of the military by some members of the society
- Negative attitudes of some civilians towards the military
- Sense of superiority complex by some military personnel
- Impersonators
- Inter service and interagency rivalry.
Efforts to reposition the military include;
- The establishment of the Nigerian Army call centre which was commissioned on the 30th of May 2017 for easy accessibility of both troops and civilians to register their complaints or report cases of security issues. The Nigerian Army call centre can be reached by all networks by dialling 193
- Establishment of Human Rights Desk (HRD): The Nigerian Army Human Rights Desk was commissioned on the 17th OF February 2016. It was established to receive document and investigate allegations of human rights violations involving Nigerian Army personnel. Since its establishment, the HRD has received and treated over 250 cases ranging from domestic abuses by troops, threat to life, child molestation, child abandonment and fraud amongst others.
- Improving Civil Military Relations through quick impact projects and other Civil Military activities.
- Specific training geared towards professionalism in the discharge of its duties
- Synergy with sister and other security services.
- Mass enlightenment through the use of media to promote its enlightenment programmes. In addition to the Nigerian Army official websites, the department has a media with a view to disseminating timely and accurate information. On Facebook, you can search AHQ DCMA and follow the department's activities. Likewise, you can also follow the department on twitter via AHQ.DCMA@ARMY MIL.NIG. Additionally, you can visit the website on www.civilmiltaryaffairs.com.ng
- Radio programmes : The armed forces has a functional radio station known as the Armed Forces Radio Station on the frequency 107.7 FM where AHQ DCMA conducts the " Civil-Military hour every Wednesday from 1030-1130 hrs. Another Radio programme " The Shield" also takes place every Friday between 5:30-600pm on FRCN.
- Office of the HRD can be reached on GSM number 08160134303 and on Whatsapp 08161507644 or via email on na.hrd@army.mil.ng
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| Umbule Sheba Tayo-Grabson, Resource Person |
The seminar had two resource persons who spoke in the course of the seminar. The first Speaker Umbule Sheba Tayo-Grabson, spoke on "The Social Media: New Battlefield New Tactics. In her presentation, she described the social media ( Facebook, Twitter and the likes) as a friend and a foe. As a friend, she said the social media can be used positively like painting the image of the military in a positive light but as a foe, the social media is being used for negative information like crises and so on even when the information is wrong. She also stated that the social media can be used to mobilise either for good or for bad citing the example Myaner where facebook was used to spread hate speech and in Nigeria, it is been used to spread hate amongst tribes. The new enemy according to her are unknown and faceless and the battles on social media are without borders or boundaries but with words, stalking and cyber bullying. This she said becomes epidemic when it goes viral on social media. According to her, twitter, youtube and facebook are being used by terrorists to spread the arab spree and then makes the revolution possible which was initially used to set the Goverment straight but now out of control. Groups, she stated are being created on whatsapp just spread negative news.
On the question of morality, she said, people always want to be the first to post a sorry sight by videoing the gory sight even when someone is dying and in dire need of help giving an example of jungle justice. She asked, if its every information that comes to one that should be posted wondering where the place of secrecy is. She advised that all social media users should think, type, and edit before posting on any social media platform and not just being the first to post.
She said, the military embarks on projects because the society has refused to accept them and spoke against the cyberbullying of the military but that well meaning and constructive criticism should be given stating we have a responsibility to keep the military safe and understand that the military is known for control while the civilians are known for patriotism.
Concluding, Umbule Sheba Tayo-Grabson said we should never forget that the military has a face, a body and a responsibility to protect while the civilians have a responsibility of thinking of the words and videos before posting on social media platforms, Things posted by social media influencers should not be destructive in nature but for the peace and development of the country.
On the question of morality, she said, people always want to be the first to post a sorry sight by videoing the gory sight even when someone is dying and in dire need of help giving an example of jungle justice. She asked, if its every information that comes to one that should be posted wondering where the place of secrecy is. She advised that all social media users should think, type, and edit before posting on any social media platform and not just being the first to post.
She said, the military embarks on projects because the society has refused to accept them and spoke against the cyberbullying of the military but that well meaning and constructive criticism should be given stating we have a responsibility to keep the military safe and understand that the military is known for control while the civilians are known for patriotism.
Concluding, Umbule Sheba Tayo-Grabson said we should never forget that the military has a face, a body and a responsibility to protect while the civilians have a responsibility of thinking of the words and videos before posting on social media platforms, Things posted by social media influencers should not be destructive in nature but for the peace and development of the country.
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| The General Commanding Officer, Jos, Major General Nuhu Angbazo |
While the seminar was going on, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) for Plateau State and immediate past Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Nuhu Angbazo graced the event with his presence. According to the present Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Nuhu Mohammed, The G.O.C influenced the holding of the seminar in Jos and that most ideas and projects being carried by the Ministry of Civil Affairs were influenced by the G.O.C. Major General Nuhu Mohammed also stated that, this is the first time a GOC would be attending the seminar.
The GOC in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the department for having the seminar held in Jos, Plateau State. According to him, there is no fixed line between the enemy and the military but with technology and the social media, the line is created hence the need to reach out to social media influencers stating that the social media is a major factor in determining the force for the creation of the seminar. Before leaving the event, he thanked all participants for gracing the event. He also thanked Umbule Sheba Tayo-Grabson for a well structured presentation and also thanked Mr. Austine Peacemaker, the organizer of the programme for influencing so many projects.
The GOC in his remarks, expressed gratitude to the department for having the seminar held in Jos, Plateau State. According to him, there is no fixed line between the enemy and the military but with technology and the social media, the line is created hence the need to reach out to social media influencers stating that the social media is a major factor in determining the force for the creation of the seminar. Before leaving the event, he thanked all participants for gracing the event. He also thanked Umbule Sheba Tayo-Grabson for a well structured presentation and also thanked Mr. Austine Peacemaker, the organizer of the programme for influencing so many projects.
Questions for Umbule Sheba Tayo-Grabson after presentation include:
1 How can the Nigerian Army engage social media influencers to portray whatever the military does ?
Answer: The fact that social media influencers are here means they have been recruited and can be the eyes of the military.
2. Should the social media be approached on the side of morality or legality?
Answer: Social media has become so bad that people always want to post issues that they feel will go viral not minding the negative impact of the post just to generate traffic instead of protecting the image of the country in a positive light stating there should be a balance in all postings on social media.
3. Are there features that can be used to detect fake news or information such as fake videos and pictures used to describe particular events?
Answer: There are fact checking apps and facebook is developing its fact checking apps. A participant also responded to the question by saying without downloading an app one can check the authenticity of an information by using reverse search on google.
The M C of the event, Major Z Danjuma who was impressed by the presentation said the military is gender friendly thats why a lady made the first presentation. He also stated that the Human Rights Department has ladies at his front desk.
In the course of the seminar, there was a breakout session where participants were broken into three groups in order to bring out suggestions on how the military can improve in its services towards the society. According to the MC, Z Danjuma the follow up on the seminar was a suggestion given during a break out session which was then taken to Maiduguri, Borno State and now the military decides to hold the seminar in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.
1 How can the Nigerian Army engage social media influencers to portray whatever the military does ?
Answer: The fact that social media influencers are here means they have been recruited and can be the eyes of the military.
2. Should the social media be approached on the side of morality or legality?
Answer: Social media has become so bad that people always want to post issues that they feel will go viral not minding the negative impact of the post just to generate traffic instead of protecting the image of the country in a positive light stating there should be a balance in all postings on social media.
3. Are there features that can be used to detect fake news or information such as fake videos and pictures used to describe particular events?
Answer: There are fact checking apps and facebook is developing its fact checking apps. A participant also responded to the question by saying without downloading an app one can check the authenticity of an information by using reverse search on google.
The M C of the event, Major Z Danjuma who was impressed by the presentation said the military is gender friendly thats why a lady made the first presentation. He also stated that the Human Rights Department has ladies at his front desk.
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| MC, Major Z Danjuma |
In the course of the seminar, there was a breakout session where participants were broken into three groups in order to bring out suggestions on how the military can improve in its services towards the society. According to the MC, Z Danjuma the follow up on the seminar was a suggestion given during a break out session which was then taken to Maiduguri, Borno State and now the military decides to hold the seminar in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.
Some of the suggestions that came out during the breakout session by participants include;
- Trust issues on the military should be addressed.
- Truth from the military - the military should make itself felt in the true sense of what they present (defence, protection etc)
- This forum (the seminar) should be a continuous one for a life long period.
- The military should have people from rural areas who could give them factual information on happenings in these villages.
- Recruitment of social media content developers/influencers by the military.
- The military should go digital by setting up gadgets in strategic areas to record happenings and culprits alike.
- Extra judicial killings should be looked into and controlled
- Laws established to prohibit fake news
- Sustenance of Civil Military interaction
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| Mr Melvin Ejeh, the CEO for Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative |
In his short presentation, Mr Melvin Ejeh, the CEO for Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative stated that though the military has deviants as military personnels, there are still professionals in the military who do there jobs right. He also made known of the fact that the wrong use of the social media drives prospect investors away from the country. To the military, he said, there is no smooth relationship between the military and the people on the plateau due to the brutality of some military personnel on the indigenes of the state stating that with this, there can't be peace in the state. On the part part of the civilians, he advised the citizens should love the military and correct them in a civilised manner. He advised, when an information is gotten, rather than immediately resorting to the social media, proper questions should be asked to ascertain the authenticity of the information stating that the military of yesterday is not same as today so instead of castigating the military, they should be made partners as castigating the military is done to the detriment of the country.
Questions asked the Chief of Civil Military Affairs include;
1. How can fake soldiers be identified?
Answer : By the complete kit of the soldier and through his identity card
2. How often is psychological test conducted for military soldiers?
Answer : At the point of entry and annual tests are being done also but not psychological test.
3. Does the military carry out periodic betting?
Answer : The Army does basic betting at the point of entry where a betting form is giving to the incoming soldier to fill. Biometrics of soldiers are also carried out especially on sensitive postions being held by some military personnel.
In his closing remarks, The Director of Information Management, Social Media Affairs, A A Goni thanked God for the success of the seminar stating that the interactive section with its theme could not have come at a better time. According to him, the forum provides an effective partnership between the military and the social media influencers.
The following are the contacts of the human rights department of the military;
For the Abuja office
Phone call : 08160134303
Whatsapp : 08161507644
Email : na.hrd@army.mil.ng
Address : 5 Lekki Close, Garki
For Jos, Plateau State
Phone call: 070316456373/08130843270
Address : 3 DB Zang way
More pictures below.
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| Autine Peacemaker, Co-convener of the seminar |
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| General AA Goni, Mr Uche Nkwaze and Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Major General Usman Mohammed |
Questions asked the Chief of Civil Military Affairs include;
1. How can fake soldiers be identified?
Answer : By the complete kit of the soldier and through his identity card
2. How often is psychological test conducted for military soldiers?
Answer : At the point of entry and annual tests are being done also but not psychological test.
3. Does the military carry out periodic betting?
Answer : The Army does basic betting at the point of entry where a betting form is giving to the incoming soldier to fill. Biometrics of soldiers are also carried out especially on sensitive postions being held by some military personnel.
In his closing remarks, The Director of Information Management, Social Media Affairs, A A Goni thanked God for the success of the seminar stating that the interactive section with its theme could not have come at a better time. According to him, the forum provides an effective partnership between the military and the social media influencers.
The following are the contacts of the human rights department of the military;
For the Abuja office
Phone call : 08160134303
Whatsapp : 08161507644
Email : na.hrd@army.mil.ng
For Jos, Plateau State
Phone call: 070316456373/08130843270
Address : 3 DB Zang way
More pictures below.
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