The Nigerian Army has urged social media influencers and bloggers to actively contribute to national security efforts.
Maj.-Gen. Bamidele Alabi, the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, emphasized this during the 31st edition of the social media influencers’ seminar held in Ilorin.
Alabi highlighted the significance of bloggers and influencers on social media as credible partners in shaping narratives to bolster national security.
He emphasized the Nigerian Army’s commitment to engaging with stakeholders through such programs.
The seminar, themed “Emerging Trends on Social Media: Impacts on National Security,” was deemed timely given the volatile and dynamic environment.
Alabi stressed the importance of utilizing social media platforms for promoting peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
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“The social media platform has reengineered social interaction among peers, businesses, governments and so on.
Social media platforms play a role in exacerbating social and national insecurity, as seen in the northern and south-eastern regions of Nigeria.
“Some groups use online media to propagate their agenda and the general public also uses social media platforms to escalate this propaganda, which sometimes is fake news,” he added.
Maj.-Gen. NC Ugbo, the Chief of Military Affairs of the Nigerian Army, emphasized that the seminar constitutes an ongoing initiative held in various towns nationwide. Its purpose is to foster engagement between the Nigerian Army and social media influencers, bloggers, journalists, and the broader public. The focus of these interactions is to explore optimal methods for leveraging social media to bolster national security efforts.
He added. “The platform provided by the social media seminar has afforded the Nigerian Army the opportunity to interact with influencers of the social and cyberspace on how to responsibly use the various asset to foster security and peaceful coexistence,”
He encouraged the participants to listen attentively in order to fulfill the goals and objectives of the seminar.