President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday inaugurated the first-ever military radio in West Africa known as the Armed Forces Radio Station 107.7 FM. and based in Abuja.
Jonathan said the station would mark a turning point in the way the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency (CT COIN) operations in the country are reported.
Jonathan, who spoke at the inauguration, urged the Nigerian military to ensure that all their efforts against the Boko Haram terrorists are not overshadowed by propaganda from some foreign media.
On the importance of the station to military operations, the president said that the Nigerian armed forces need a means to communicate their activities to the wider society.
he said, “I recall atimes some people will come to me and say Nigerians do not know what the military is doing; are they covering up? And sometimes other nations bring in foreign media to cover their operations and things are exaggerated as if they are even working harder than us.
“So today that you are launching your radio station will be a turning point. Some of your operations will be properly covered and Nigerians will know. If they know what you are doing and what you are passing through they will remain grateful.
“So I am pleased you are commissioning a radio station and I believe quite sincerely, especially with the infrastructure put in place, that this country will be properly covered and will help enhance the operations of the armed forces to be able to inform Nigerians and enable them to appreciate the armed forces more.”
The President commended the resilience and doggedness of the armed forces in the face of daunting security challenges in the country and the successes they have recorded so far.
He emphasised the fact that previous neglect of the military in terms of hardware acquisition and relevant training had compounded the security infrastructure and affected the precision of military response to these challenges.
He however stressed that the recent purchases and support have reasonably changed the tide.
“These have indeed reversed the trend allowing for effective governance, peace and security in areas hitherto held by terrorists and other misguided elements”, he said.
Jonathan also used the opportunity to call on all Nigerians both senior and ordinary citizens to appreciate the commitment and the sacrifices of the armed forces.
He said: “We wouldn’t have been sleeping if these people are not working. I always feel a bit worried and at times angry when I read in the papers comments about our armed forces and the police.
“Ours is a society that sometimes doesn’t appreciate the commitment of individuals, suffering of individuals. These people fight and sometimes pay the supreme price, leaving widows and children as orphans. Instead of commending and encouraging them, sometimes we criticise”.
