Chief of Staff of the Army (COAS), Lieutenant General. Faruk Yahaya has instructed Nigerian troops to use social media appropriately, in accordance with the Armed Forces Social Media Policy.
He relinquished the charge yesterday as he declared open a week-long gathering of the Nigerian Army’s (NA) 1st Regimental Sergeants (RSMs) in Jos, Plateau State.
COAS noted that the session, themed “The Role of Regimental Sergeants in Upholding Principles of Professionalism in the Age of Social Media,” was organized to enhance the ability of RSMs as custodians of discipline and regimentation in the Army.
He noted that NA’s cherished traditions, customs and ethics must be preserved, considering the increasing involvement of troops in social media activities and the associated consequences of social media for military operations worldwide.
Maintaining a social media presence is typical of today’s soldier, he explained, adding that raising awareness among troops about the appropriate use of social media has become necessary.
Represented by the Director, Administration, Office of Defense Research and Development, Defense Headquarters (DHQ), Major General. Udem Bassey, the army chief, identified discipline and regimentation as crucial elements of the military profession.
COAS found that breaches of operational security, posting discriminatory comments or inappropriate materials, and online fraternization undermine professionalism.
RSMs, he said, play a key role in maintaining the Army’s professional status given the pervasive impact of soldier engagement on social media.
He called on the RSM to live up to its responsibilities given the military’s involvement in ongoing operations to address security challenges across the country.
“In the age of social media, the sole objective of this training is to enable the RSMs, who are the keepers of discipline, to monitor soldiers’ activities on social media in order to detect deviation from army policy avoid,” he said.
At the beginning of his welcome speech, the Commanding General Officer (GOC) of the 3rd Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major General said. Abdulsalami Ibrahim commended the Ministry of Armed Forces for providing such timely and important training to equip RSMs with the knowledge they need about the impact of social media to address the challenges posed by abuse.
According to the GOC, the workshop will further prepare participants for optimal performance and will encourage them to use the conference to develop further as the training package is carefully tailored to current challenges at the regiment level.
