Gen. Ajunwa Warns Public Against Devaluing Military
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
The General Officer Commanding 81 Division of the Nigerian Army, comprising Lagos and Ogun States, Major General Obinna Ajunwa, has warned against devaluing the military, saying that such action has a chain reaction as it reverberates on the collective existence of the people and affects what the country holds dear in terms of internal unity, national cohesion, and international recognition.
Ajunwa made this remark while playing host to a cross-section of the executive members of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) in his office on Monday. The General noted that the army, and by extension the military, is the face of the nation, and by no means or circumstance should be rubbished, because an attack on the military through false reports is an attack on the very essence of the people and the nation itself.
“The military is the face of the nation.” If we rubbish it, we are rublishing our faces. The army belongs to us as Nigerians. In Nigerian society, as elsewhere, the strength of the people is the military. And when the top is dropped, it will definitely affect the other component parts.
He maintained that the military will continue to strive to keep the peace and security of the nation while calling on the citizenry, especially the press, to assist in the patriotic act through verified publications and, most importantly, publications that have national security and interest as a consideration.
“False reports devalues the military in Nigeria and the people.” Once you devalue the military, every other person in the nation is devalued. Always endeavour to report correctly and avoid false information, as it could destroy the nation and paint it in a bad light, thereby sending a negative signal.
“We must understand that when a country’s military is tainted with negativity, it spirals into other aspects of that country’s endeavours. That is why the military is the face of the nation and must not be devalued,” Ajunwa said.
Earlier, the leader of the NAOSNP delegation and President of the Association, Mr. Samson Oki, briefed the GOC and his team of officers on the need for the division to synergize with the Association to curb the initiation and spread of fake news, which is detrimental to the psyche and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians.
“It is our intention to cooperate with the military, and the army in particular, to further engender a military/media relationship to continue to fight the war against fake news, which is capable of causing mayhem, for the good of the people.
“Our Association is known for discipline, professionalism, and dedication to the Nigerian project and is in the best position to understand that national interest supersedes parochial or personal interest, and that is what we have sworn to uphold,” Oki said.
In his vote of thanks, the Public Relations Officer of NAOSNP, Mr. Eric Elezuo, appreciated the Nigeria Army for a job well done, which has remained their hallmark in recent times, and the GOC of the 81st Division, Ajunwa, who has been exemplary since he assumed office in August 2022.
“While partnering with you in this task of nation-building and defence, we must acknowledge your success stories in the field and with the civil populace.” The army has distinguished itself, and remained above board. We also acknowledge the giant strides Major Ajunwa has taken since he assumed duties about three months ago. “We are not oblivious to these milestones, and we ask that they be sustained,” Elezuo said.
In attendance at the meeting were ranking military officers, including the Commander 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Brigadier General Kingsley Nwoko; Commander 81 Division Provost Group, Brigadier General ML Abubakar; Commander 55 Signal Brigade, Brigadier General EO Oshunsan; Chief of Staff HQ 81 Division, Brigadier General MB Wabili; Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Colonel JK Maigari; and Lt. Col. Olaniyi Bello Osoba.
Other members of the NAOSNP team in attendance were Miss Ebere Obinagwam, Mr. Kazeem Bakene, Mr. Friday Etim, and Mr. Femi Arikawe.
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