The Oyo state Governor Abiola Ajimobi has stressed the need for better civil-military relations even as he canvasses for more nationalistic depth to media reports on the current insurgency as it affects the territorial integrity of the country.
Governor Ajimobi made the call at the week-long interactive session on Civil – Military relations in Nigeria with the theme “Consolidating Civil-Military relations for Improved National Security” held at the 2 division auditorium in Ibadan.
The governor stated during his submission at the interactive session that the relationship between the media and military must be strong enough to make nationalism the major consideration in reporting of the insurgency ravaging some states in the Northern part of the country.
Ajimobi expressed concern over what he called unfavourable and unpleasant media opinions and news reporting which he said had affected military morale and operations and said that a partnership between the two would change this tone of reporting.
Governor Ajimobi recalled that during the long years of military rule, the relationship between the civil and military was mutually hostile and full of suspicion against each other. This, he said, was worsened by the fact that the civil society had little or no knowledge about the military institution or even security matters.
He, however, added that the civil rule of the last 14 years had redrawn the map of that relationship, adding that more has to be done in enlightening the civil populace on the readiness of the military to partner well with the society.
At the end of the 5-day programme, the Chief of Army Staff, General Azubuike Ihejirika who was represented by the Chief of Army Standards and evaluation, Major General John Ewansiha described the interactive session as unique as it would provide a veritable platform for the military to interface with Nigerians to foster better understanding and help the Nigerian army to fulfil its constitutional role.
He also assured Nigerians that the Army is up to the task of defeating the insurgency in the north east and any other part of Nigeria, but called for greater collaboration between the media and the entire civil populace to achieve success.
The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Army headquarters Major General Bola Koleoso also stated in his remarks that the forum was the maiden edition targeted solely to interface with the civil society to know what needs to be done to achieve a safer and better Nigeria.
