By; SANI ALIYU, Zaria
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-General Taoreed Lagbaja has called on the media to avoid sensational reportage in the interest of security and national development.
Lagbaja made the call on Monday during the maiden international conference organized by the The Department of Mass Communication, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria.
He was represented by Brig.-Gen. Moyo Akinojo, Commander, 41 Engineering Brigade in presenting a keynote address on Communication, Media Security and Development: Issues, challenges and way Forward.
The COAS restated army’s commitment to enhance civil-military relationship in the country.
The International Conference with the theme, ‘Media, Insecurity and Development: Issues, Challenges and the way forward’ was by the Director-General Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Alhaji Salihu Dambos.
He highlighted the need to prioritize training for journalists in conflict reporting to ensure accurate presentation.
He added that the training is also essential in winning the trust, belief and confidence of the populace.
Lagbaja noted that the armed forces of Nigeria have a clear understanding of the profound impact that media narratives have on military operations and socio-economic fabric of Nigeria.
In his welcome address, Prof. Kabiru Bala, Vice-Chancellor ABU commended the Mass Communication Department for organizing the maiden international conference, urging other departments not to relent in organizing such events to foster intellectual discourse for national development.
“The conference had over 200 local and international participants, availing participants and scholars an opportunity to proffer recommendations on better ways to tame the fire of insecurity in the country,” Bala said.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed the plan by the university to rejig and adopt new 70/30 for ratio for the postgraduates and undergraduate students.
Dr. Adama Adamu, Head of Department, Mass Communication ABU, said that for close to two decades, Nigeria has battled with insecurity in many parts of the country.
She added that the challenges include, proliferation of misinformation and fake news, extremists ideologies and erosion of public trust from traditional media institutions.
The head of department said the conference offers unique opportunities to look into the challenges with a view to proffering solutions and recommendations
Over 600 papers would be presented by both national and international scholars during the three-day conference.
