The Chief of Military Affairs at Army Headquarters, Maj. Gen. NC Ugbo, has urged individuals involved in the social media sphere to exercise caution and verify the accuracy of the information or content they disseminate on social media platforms. The Nigerian Army provided this counsel during the 30th edition of the Social Media Influencers seminar, organized in collaboration with the Ukan Kurugh Foundation.
Maj. Gen. Ugbo emphasized the far-reaching impact of information shared on social media platforms, influencing people’s perceptions, opinions, and reactions. He challenged social media influencers and media practitioners to be vigilant about the authenticity of the content they share, noting that such vigilance would contribute significantly to the collective goal of fostering peace and security throughout the country.
Additionally, Maj. Gen. JH Abdulsalam acknowledged that the prevailing peace in Delta State results from the cooperation and support of stakeholders collaborating with the Nigerian Army. He emphasized the crucial role of the public as partners in achieving the objectives of peace, security, and socioeconomic development.
The seminar aims to enhance the Nigerian Army’s interaction with social media influencers, bloggers, media professionals, youths, and the general public. Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam highlighted the positive impact of the media in shaping public perspectives and influencing trends, emphasizing its role as a powerful tool contributing to improved security.
He underscored the importance of social media influencers and individuals on various platforms remaining focused, patriotic, and responsible. This involves avoiding the spread of rumors, fake news, misinformation, and divisive or injurious content. The seminar, themed “Countering the Spread of Divisive Contents on Social Media: A Collective Responsibility,” aligns with the Nigerian Army’s commitment to inspiring, motivating, educating, and promoting positive values through engagements with the media and the public.
Maj. Gen. Abdulsalam assured the audience of the Nigerian Army’s dedication to building a more secure and safer Nigeria. The seminar serves as a platform to reinforce the existing relationship between the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders in the security sector, with a shared responsibility to counter the dissemination of divisive content on social media.