The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, has committed to sustained collaboration with the Association of Defence Correspondents of Nigeria (ADCON) to enhance communication between the military and defence media. This commitment was made when ADCON's leadership, led by President Mr. Philip Nwosu, visited the 81 Division headquarters in Lagos. The visit aimed to establish a stronger professional relationship between ADCON and the Division.
During the visit, Nwosu introduced ADCON to Babalola, presented its members, and explored avenues for improved interaction with the Division. He emphasized ADCON's commitment to promoting professional, responsible, and accurate reporting of the Armed Forces' activities and other security institutions. Nwosu highlighted the need for specialized knowledge of military operations, security procedures, and national security considerations in defence journalism.
Nwosu explained that ADCON seeks a structured relationship with 81 Division to enable accredited defence correspondents to obtain reliable information from appropriate military authorities and report security developments accurately. He clarified that ADCON does not seek preferential treatment or unrestricted access to sensitive military information but rather a professional communication channel to reduce misinformation and inaccurate reports.
The ADCON president assured Babalola that members of the association would continue to observe professional journalism ethics and respect legitimate security considerations while informing the public. He also expressed interest in highlighting the sacrifices of soldiers, humanitarian interventions, civil-military relations, peacebuilding initiatives, and other Armed Forces' activities aimed at safeguarding the nation.
Responding to the visit, Babalola described the relationship between the military and media as crucial to national security. He thanked the delegation for visiting the Division and acknowledged the media's important responsibility in helping Nigerians understand military operations and personnel sacrifices. Babalola urged defence correspondents to give attention to the Armed Forces' achievements while reporting challenges with context, fairness, and accuracy.
Babalola noted that the Nigerian Army had recorded successes in different theatres of operation, deserving public awareness. He assured ADCON members that the Division remained accessible to journalists seeking clarification on its activities. The GOC pledged regular briefings, professional engagements, and familiarization visits to provide opportunities for greater understanding between the military and defence correspondents.
The collaboration between 81 Division and ADCON aims to promote credible information, curb misinformation, and improve public understanding of national security operations. Key aspects of this partnership include providing a structured channel for defence correspondents to obtain reliable information and highlighting the achievements and sacrifices of the Armed Forces. This engagement is expected to enhance the relationship between the military and defence media, ultimately contributing to national security.
Key points
- Major General Adebayo Babalola pledges sustained collaboration with ADCON to strengthen communication between the military and defence media.
- ADCON seeks a structured relationship with 81 Division for reliable information and accurate reporting.
- The partnership aims to promote credible information and improve public understanding of national security operations.
