Nigerian Army Holds Social Media Seminar, Stakeholders Forum in Rivers
The Nigerian Army has intensified its civil engagement efforts with the hosting of the 45th Social Media Seminar and the 7th Key Stakeholders Forum in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Organised by the Department of Civil-Military Affairs, the two-day events held on Wednesday, February 18 and Thursday, February 19, 2026, brought together social media influencers, journalists, civil society actors, youth leaders, traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders to deliberate on national security and civil-military relations.
The Social Media Seminar, themed “Emerging Trends on Social Media: Impact on National Security,” focused on addressing the growing influence of digital platforms in shaping public perception and security narratives.
According to Major Ifedayo Adenegan, Acting Director of Information Management, Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Major General Musa Awwal Etsu-Ndagi, stressed the importance of responsible online engagement. He urged Nigerians to deploy social media as a tool for unity rather than division, warning against the dangers of fake news, misinformation, disinformation and hate speech.
He described the seminar as a strategic platform for dialogue and collaboration aimed at fostering a positive digital culture and strengthening trust between the military and the public.
Declaring the seminar open, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Army Finance Corporation, Major General Julius Osifo, called on media professionals and influencers to leverage their platforms in support of national security.
He cautioned against inaccurate reporting and sensational content capable of demoralising troops, undermining military operations and dishonouring the sacrifices of fallen soldiers.
In her presentation titled “Promoting Peace and Trust Through Responsible Online Engagement,” Dr. Zainab Olabisi Saka underscored the need for critical thinking before publishing online content. She warned that cyberbullying, false narratives and inflammatory posts could inflame tensions and pose threats to national stability.
Popular entertainer Mr. Dike Osinachi, also known as APAMA, encouraged participants to prioritise accuracy and positivity in their online activities, emphasising the influence of digital voices in shaping public discourse.
Similarly, the 7th Key Stakeholders Forum, themed “Taking the Nigerian Army to the Communities,” sought to deepen grassroots engagement and reinforce mutual understanding between the Army and host communities.
In his welcome address, Major General Etsu-Ndagi explained that the forum was designed to bridge knowledge gaps and dispel misconceptions about the Army’s operations. He urged communities to embrace constructive engagement, noting that misunderstanding often stems from limited information.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff at the forum’s opening, Major General Osifo reiterated the need for a whole-of-society approach in tackling terrorism, insurgency and other forms of criminality. He emphasised the importance of intelligence sharing and communal support in strengthening national security architecture.
In a paper titled “Taking the Nigerian Army to the Communities,” His Royal Majesty, Brigadier General Bright Ateke Fiboinumama (rtd.), the Amayanabon of Amadi-Ama Town, called on community leaders to collaborate closely with security agencies by exposing criminal elements within their domains.
He commended the Army’s non-kinetic initiatives, including dialogue-driven engagements, disaster response interventions such as flood relief efforts in the South-South, and medical outreach programmes.
Speaking during the interactive session, the representative of the Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, His Royal Majesty Eze Uche Elikwu, lauded the initiative and pledged the council’s support in combating criminality across the state.
The events featured security briefs on civil-military cooperation, open discussions on strengthening partnerships, presentation of souvenirs and certificates of participation.
Together, the seminar and stakeholders forum underscored the Army’s evolving strategy — one that recognises that in an age where narratives travel at the speed of a click, security is not shaped by weapons alone, but also by words, trust and shared responsibility.
