National Security: Nigerian Army Engages Over 250 Influencers in Ilorin
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National Security: Nigerian Army Engages Over 250 Influencers in Ilorin
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Nigerian Army has, Wednesday, hosted its 31st Social Media Influencers Seminar in Ilorin, bringing together over 250 social media influencers, media practitioners and bloggers from Kwara.
The event, themed “Emerging Trends on Social Media: Impact on National Security,” emphasized the critical role these influencers play in shaping narratives towards bolstering national security.
Major General Bamidele Alabi, the Special Guest of Honour and General Officer Commanding 2 Division, highlighted the significance of social media influencers in enhancing national security.
He reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to fostering dialogue with stakeholders through initiatives like this seminar, especially in today’s volatile environment.
“The social media platform has reengineered social interaction among peers, businesses, governments and so on.
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“Social media platforms are used in advancing social and national insecurity, such as the situation in the northern and southeastern parts of Nigeria.
”Some groups use online media to propagate their agenda, and the general public also uses social media platforms to escalate this propaganda, which sometimes is fake news,” he disclosed.
The seminar addressed the complex dynamics of social media, urging influencers to leverage their platforms for peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
In his remarks, Major General NC Ugbo, the Chief of Military Affairs, reiterated the importance of such engagements in harnessing social media’s potential to bolster security and foster unity.
Ugbo added that the seminar was a continuous event in selected towns across the country to enable the Nigerian Army to interact with social media influencers, bloggers, media practitioners and the general public.
Such interactions, he said, are on how best social media can be used to enhance national security.
”The platform provided by the social media seminar has afforded the Nigerian Army the opportunity to interact with influencers of the social and cyberspace on how to responsibly use the various assets to foster security and peaceful coexistence,” he said.
In their respective paper presentations, Dr. Ehiz Odigie and Prof. Omotayo Olatubosun Tope emphasized the weighty responsibility of social media influencers in promoting national unity and security.
They stressed the need for responsible online behavior to mitigate the spread of misinformation and uphold stability.
The event drew a diverse audience, including military officials, state dignitaries, royal fathers, security agency representatives from NSCDC, Correctional Service, Police, FRSC, NIS, media professionals, students, and other stakeholders.
