The Defence Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria (DECAN) has appealed to the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) to establish a dedicated Defence Correspondents’ Press Centre to strengthen media engagement and improve communication between the military and the public.
DECAN President, Odita Sunday, made the appeal on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executives to the Director of Defence Media Operations (DMO), Major General Michael Onoja, at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
Odita said a dedicated press centre would provide defence correspondents with a functional workspace and serve as a central hub through which military authorities could easily brief and coordinate journalists covering defence activities.
“We passionately appeal to the Defence Headquarters to consider establishing a befitting Defence Correspondents’ Press Centre as part of its media engagement and embedding strategy.
“Such a centre will strengthen civil-military relations and enhance effective communication between the Armed Forces and the Nigerian public,” he said.
The DECAN President also called for regular operational briefings, noting that timely access to factual information would improve the quality of defence reporting and help counter misinformation, disinformation and hostile propaganda.
He commended the Directorate for sustaining an open and inclusive media engagement policy, particularly the opportunity given to more than 100 defence correspondents to visit operational theatres across the country earlier in the year.
According to him, the experience significantly enhanced the credibility and accuracy of reports on military operations.
Odita disclosed that the association was in the final stages of launching its official publication, The Defence Correspondent, a magazine designed to document and showcase the activities, achievements and strategic communications efforts of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
He reaffirmed DECAN’s commitment to professionalism, patriotism and responsible journalism, assuring the Armed Forces of the association’s continued support in highlighting the sacrifices, achievements and operational successes of the military in the fight against terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminality across the country.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen.Onoja, described media operations as a “vital component” of modern military campaigns.
He reaffirmed the Armed Forces of Nigeria’s commitment to maintaining a cordial and transparent relationship with the media.
