FG launches citizens’ support campaign for the military

…Says international terror groups helping Boko Haram to wage insurgency

Bonaventure Melah

The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday solicited the support of its citizens for soldiers fighting insurgency in the North East as well as the entire military for its decades- long efforts and sacrifices to safeguard the nation and its territorial integrity. At the formal launching of a national campaign in support of the military which took place on Thursday at the National Press Centre, Abuja, Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said it has become imperative to mobilise well-meaning and patriotic citizens to show appreciation, love and support for the military, adding that the soldier out in the battlefield is a first a human being and also relative to someone. The Minister, who was flanked by senior military officers from the army, the navy and the air force among others, also stated that aside from Boko Haram which has been waging war against the country for years now, some international terror groups dislodged in the countries like Libya and Syria are moving towards Africa with Nigeria as a centre of focus. “Recall that on January 8th 2019, we announced that we would soon launch a campaign to seek the support of the citizens for our troops, especially in the fight against insurgency. Today marks the fulfilment of that promise as we are here to formally launch the National Campaign in Support of the Military. It is a follow-up to the hugely-successful National Campaign Against Insecurity which we launched on February 16th, 2016, with the punch-line: ”If you see something, say something,’ the minister said, and went on to explain the reasons behind the campaign. ‘ “Because we believe that the men and women in uniform who are risking all, including making the supreme sacrifice, to keep us safe deserve the support and prayers of all Nigerians, not vilification, insults and other acts that are capable of dampening their morale. And why are we launching the campaign now? Because, as our gallant men and women in uniform clear the remnants of the home-grown insurgency called Boko Haram, they are confronting a fresh crisis, a global insurgency. “A faction of Boko Haram has aligned with the global terror group, ISIS, to form ISWAP, the Islamic State’s West African Province. In other words, ISIS now has a strong foothold in West Africa – with Nigeria in the forefront of the battle against them. With ISIS largely dislodged from Iraq and Syria, there is undoubtedly, a flush of fresh fighters and weapons to ISWAP. Therefore, our military is fighting a global insurgency, without the kind of global coalition, including the United States that battled ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Those who do not understand the fresh threat facing our nation nor appreciate the sacrifice of our troops, have now made it their past-time to wage a campaign of disinformation against the military, especially in the social media. Doctored videos and pictures purporting to show massive military casualties are wilfully circulated online. Such unpatriotic acts are discouraging and demoralizing our troops, and must stop forthwith. “Let me state that those who engage in this act of disinformation are few, and do not represent the majority of Nigerians who appreciate the patriotism and the sacrifice of our gallant troops. That’s why we are launching this campaign, to mobilise the majority of the good people of Nigerians, irrespective of their political, religious or ethnic leanings, to show support for our military. It is high time that everybody joined in supporting this global war (against insurgency). It’s not unusual, as a matter of fact it’s usually the practice, that when a country is faced with this kind of challenge, people will sink their differences and work together,” the Minister stated. On strategies to get the people to key into the campaign, Lai Mohammed said multi-faceted approach would be applied to include the production and airing of special jingles on radio and television, social media intervention and advocacy. “In fact, the jingles are ready, and will be airing on radio and television starting this week. Also, the materials for newspaper and social media are also ready. “We also want to enlist the support of the media for this campaign. The media should indeed play the lead role in the campaign. We are happy to note that some television stations have already started airing their self-produced TVCs in support of the military. We thank them for this and we urge others to join them. “We also want to appeal to the media to show utmost professionalism in reporting the insurgency. They must seek official clarification before reporting casualty figures, and must realise that the military will not release the identities of soldiers who have paid the ultimate price without first notifying their families. They must also not reveal national security as well as military plans, since such acts can put our troops in harm’s way.” While answering questions from journalists, the Minister said the campaign message is being interpreted in various Nigerian languages in order to reach all citizens, no matter their level of education. Among those at the event were senior military officers including the Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. John Agim, Director of Public Relations and Information of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman (who retired from service on Thursday) and the Director Information, Nigerian Navy, Commodore Sulaiman Dahun.