The Chief of Army Staff(COAS), Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya has charged troops of the Nigerian Army on the appropriate use of social media as contained in the Armed Forces Policy on Social Media. He gave the charge while declaring open a week long Nigerian Army (NA) First Regimen Sergeant Majors’ (RSM’s) Convention for year 2023 holding in Jos the Plateau State Capital.
The COAS noted that, the convention with the theme “The Roles of Regimental Sergeant Majors in Upholding the Tenets of Professionalism in the Social Media Era” was organized to enhance the capacity of the RSMs as custodians of discipline and regimentation in the NA. He noted that the cherished tradition, customs and ethics of the NA must be upheld bearing in mind the increased involvement of troops in social media activities and the attendant consequences of social media on military operations globally. He revealed that maintaining a social media presence is typical of today’s soldier, adding that sensitizing troops on the appropriate use of social media became necessary.
The Chief of Army Staff who was represented at the occasion by the Director, Administration Defence Research and Development Bureau, Defence Headquarters, Major General Udem Bassey, further noted that discipline and regimentation are crucial elements of military profession. He averred that operation security violations, posting discriminatory comments or inappropriate materials and online fraternization erodes professionalism. RSMs he said have a key role to play in upholding the professional status of the NA in the face of pervasive effects of social media engagements by soldiers. The COAS further tasked the RSMs to live up to their responsibilities, considering the NA’s engagements in ongoing operations to tackle security challenges across the country.
The Army boss said that, the theme and lecture series of the Convention were carefully selected to equip and sensitize the RSMs on how effectively they can use the social media in line with the existing policy guidelines and stepping down same to their various divisions and formations. “In this era of social media, the sole aim of this training is to enable the RSMs who are the custodians of discipline to be able to monitor the discipline of our soldiers in their activities in the social media, to avoid departure from the Army’s policy”He averred.
Also in a remark, the Chief of Administration (Army), Major General OW Ali said, the training was important for RSMs to be constantly trained, updated and sensitized on new trends, policies and plans of the Nigerian Army so that they can domesticate same to their formations and units.
Represented by the Director Personnel Services, Army Headquarters Department of Administration, Major General Jimmy Akpor, the Chief of Administration noted that the Nigerian Army relies on the RSMs to ensure that the highest standard of regimentation is maintained at all levels. He urged them to pay rapt attention to all the proceedings at the convention.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division and Commander Operation SAFE HAVEN, Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim lauded the Army Headquarters Department of Army Administration for putting up such timely and vital training aimed at equipping RSMs with the requisite knowledge towards enhancing their knowledge on the effect of social media aiming at address the challenges posed by the indiscriminate use of social media.
The GOC further revealed that, the workshop will further build the capacities of the participants for optimal performance and urged them to take advantage of the convention to develop themselves, as the training package was carefully designed to address contemporary challenges at regimental levels. He expressed optimism that the participants will be better equipped with the capabilities to effectively discharge their responsibilities in their respective formations and units.
The weeklong convention will feature lectures presentations by resource persons on topical issues, contributions and questions from the participants.
The opening ceremony featured, presentation of momentous and group photographs.
