Participants at the Seminar 


The Nigerian Army in it's continued efforts at promoting responsible online practices and combating the spread of misinformation on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 hosted bloggers, social media influencers, journalists, and other media stakeholders in Abia State to the 33rd edition of its social media seminar themed: “Enhancing National Security Through the Responsible Use of Social Media”.


 The event which held at the GIA Events Centre Aba, was declared open by  the General Officer Commanding, GOC 82 Division of the Nigeria Army, Enugu, Major General Hassan Dada, who described the aim as   ensuring the promotion of peace and a better society through the use of social media platforms.


OMPAN Chairman, Promise U Okoro being presented with an award at the event 


Gen Dada argued that harmful contents and voice notes disseminated through the social media  poses  threats to the collective peace and co-existence of the nation, stressing that  fake news can generate consequences leading to warfare.


He further charged Nigerians to always view  the military in a positive light considering its efforts and sacrifices to ensure security in the Country 




The Chief of Civil Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Major-General N.C. Ugbo, in his welcome address described the programme  as an opportunity for participants to interact and exchange ideas with the Nigerian Army for mutual understanding and amicable relationship 


A Guest Speaker at the talkshop, Dr. Ehiz Odigie-Okpataku listed some factors that can makes  one’s media handles to incur warnings, including: fake news, mis-tagging, distorted news, sharing  sensitive information and locations, clout chasing, viral posts and online stampede amongst others.


Odigie-Okpataku  who spoke on the topic: 'Curtailing Negative Content on Social Media: Responsibilities of Users',  however, counselled social media influencers to use content in such a manner that they will be remembered for their positive impacts, values, quality contents and perspectives, adding that legacy can be determined through blogging with empathy and awareness.


Another guest speaker, Prof J.U Ogbonna of the Abia State University Uturu maintained that for the society and the renascent Abia to be actualized, the need to work in synergy with the Nigerian Army in enhancing national security through the responsible use of social media by providing them with useful and vital information is sacrosanct.  His highly informative lecture was titled “Fake News on Social Media and its Effects on National Security"


The Brigade Commander, 14 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Brigadier General Olusola O Diya urged  media practitioners and bloggers to use the social media in reporting to military authorities the excesses of military personnel on duty.


” People should use social media to report to us any unprofessional conduct of any military personnel in uniform”, he proffered 


Gen. Olusola Diya in a question and answer session explained that there is no law prohibiting people from having a dreadlocks as hairstyles and urged members of the public  to report any soldier or military personnel torturing any civilian for having a dreadlocks.


The Army top brass explained that  although internet fraudsters are usually associated with dreadlocks hairstyle, it amounts to infringement of people’s right for soldiers to go after innocent citizens with dreadlocks stressing that there is no law  prescribing a dress code for citizens, hence, it is wrong for military personnel on checkpoints to resort to enforcing nonexistent laws.


”Any soldier found arresting people with dreadlock will be dealt with. Once you see any soldier engaging in such unprofessional conduct, please get us his name and the checkpoint, and see what we will do.”


 Gen. Diya while also responding to another question, apologized for the reckless killing of a hotel staff by the military pointing out that the soldiers involved  had been arrested, and that thorough investigation is ongoing,  assuring that once the investigation is done those culpable would be brought to book.


In his contribution,  Nollywood comedian-actor,  Osita Iheme also know as Paw-Paw frowned at the rate some social media influencers use the platform to cause mayhem in the country, instead of using it to Inform, educate and as well entertain; He urged  them to utilise the social media platforms properly.


Earlier in his address, the Director, Psychological Operations, Department of Civil-Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Abuja, Brigadier Gen. B.S Keji, explained that the seminar was aimed at interfacing social media influencers and content creators, with a view to using the social media to promote peace and not crisis and added that it was aimed at enhancing relationship between the Nigerian Army and the civilian populace.


He  urged bloggers and social media influencers to refrain from disseminating harmful contents capable of causing tension or crisis in their desperation to generate traffic.


The event  attracted top security personnel in the Country, media practitioners, bloggers and social media influencers in Abia State as well as members of the  Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria, OMPAN, Abia State chapter. Certificates were awarded to participants at the end of the programme.


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that the 33rd edition of the Nigerian Army’s social media engagement program is aimed at fostering collaboration with critical media players to address national security challenges.