Issues of National security must be prioritized- New army spokesperson

The New Army Director of Public Relations, Brigadier General Jude  Chukwu has said  national security must at all times be placed above any other interest if the country must win the war against the challenges of internal security.

Brigadier General Jude Texas Chukwu who was speaking during his taking over ceremony at the Nigerian Army conference room on Monday also called on the media to down play and not publicize activities of insurgents so as not to undermine national security.

The new army spokesperson said, “My vision is to have a professional, proactive and efficient public relations directorate in the performance of its duties. Public Relations and information management are key to success in military operations, in light of the current security challenges in the country.

“This no doubt underscores the importance of the directorate is to success. Protection of national security is mainly the responsibility of the armed forces however, safeguarding national security is the responsibility of all citizens.

He noted that it was no longer news that the Nigerian Army was combating national security threats, such as insurgency, kidnapping, militancy, herdsmen and farmer clashes among other and called on the support of the public to win these challenges.

Commending the outgoing director of Army Public relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman  for gaining public support for the Nigerian Army in its operations, Brigadier General Jude Texas Chukwu promised to sustain the efforts already in place.

Speaking to the media, the new army spokesperson said, “Information management is very crucial to military operation as such, I must emphasize that national security should be placed above all other interest in your reportage, and you must maintain the professional code of ethics in your coverage of the Nigerian Army, so as the place the Army on a high pedestals”.

Earlier the outgoing director of Army public relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman who said he was the director of the Army Public relations since January 2015 added that he was fulfilled to handing over to Chukwu a seasoned public relations practitioner.

He added that under his tenure the army had made use of all aspects of the social media to disseminate information which had received wonderful feedback from the public.