Impressed by the rich content of the programmes and news from the Voice of Nigeria (VON), the military has requested for partnership with the organisation in its fight against insurgency and other related security matters.
The director, Defence Information, Major General Chris Olukolade made the request at the weekend while paying a courtesy visit to the Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Sam O. Worlu at the Radio House Abuja national headquarters of the corporation. General Olukolade said VON has been effective in projecting positive image of Nigeria and has stood by the military in its efforts to restore peace and security across the nation.
“We in the Nigeria Military are quite appreciative of your recent drives in programme, news and commentary content. We wish therefore to identify with the progress you are making and therefore seek your companionship. VON has been our respite in times of severe criticism both from within and from outside Nigeria,” the Military spokesman said.
According to him, the Nigerian Military is making progress in its mandate to secure all parts of the country, adding that areas that were hitherto impenetrable are now being accessed and necessary action being taken to restore normalcy specifically in the North East and other part of the country.
On areas of collaboration, General Olukolade informed Mr. Worlu that the Military has set up a radio station and needs the expertise of, and personnel from Voice of Nigeria to help stabilise the operations of the new radio station as well as in shaping its programmes content.
Responding, Mr. Worlu said he was excited to have the Military spokesman visit VON. He commended the Nigerian Military for the enormous sacrifice of its Officers and Men towards the security and wellbeing of the people, saying they are doing a fantastic job.
Worlu said VON is working on the outlines of a new national strategic communications arrangement which looks beyond bullets and is targeted at winning the battle for the hearts and minds of people of not only the North East but all over Nigeria and its neighbours including Chad, Cameroun, Niger Republic, among others who he said receive VON signals very clearly.
“Wars are not won on the battlefields alone. There is also the corollary battle for the hearts and minds of the people. We want to play a role here, to provide some kind of impetus, not just about reporting, but in the area of research and programmes content, to formulate a contrary narrative that challenges the false doctrine and ideology that these people are putting out there,” the director general said. He promised to give all necessary assistance to the Armed Forces Radio among other requests made by General Olukolade.
Insurgency: Military Seeks Collaboration With VON
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