NIPR, Army Seek Stronger Civil-Military Relations in South-East

ENUGU— The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Enugu State Chapter, and the Nigerian Army have called for sustained collaboration between the military and civilians to strengthen peace, security and stability in the South-East.

The call was made at the September edition of the chapter’s monthly Public Relations Clinic, held at the Officers’ Mess of the 82 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Enugu.

Speaking on “Effective Civil-Military Relations: The Role of Citizens — A Case Study of South-East Nigeria,” the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 82 Division, Lt.-Col. O. O. Ayeni, said effective civil-military relations were essential to national stability.

Ayeni, who represented the Nigerian Army at the clinic, quoted the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, as saying that effective civil-military relations were “not an option, but a necessity for national stability.”

He said the Nigerian Army placed high value on civil-military relations, adding that its efforts towards restoring peace and stability in the South-East could not have achieved the desired results without cooperation from the civilian population.

Ayeni commended the NIPR Enugu Chapter for initiating and sustaining the engagement with the Army, promising to work toward taking the relationship to a higher level.

Dr. Maxwell Ngene, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), commended the Army for collaborating with NIPR.

Ngene, who is scheduled to deliver the chapter’s October PR Clinic lecture, said sustained engagement was necessary to correct misconceptions and reassure people in the South-East that they were not abandoned.

Also speaking, the Ezedudo III of Ugwuaji, Awkunanaw, His Royal Highness Igwe Chinedu Nyia Nwobodo, urged the 82 Division to sustain its renewed partnership with NIPR.

Nwobodo, who delivered the chapter’s August lecture, said the institute had the professional capacity to support the Army’s communication efforts and make its work easier through strategic public engagement.

In his remarks, the Acting Chairman of NIPR Enugu Chapter, Dr. Onyedikachi Stanley Onovo, thanked the Nigerian Army for hosting the clinic and assured the military of the chapter’s readiness to sustain the cordial relationship between the Army and South-East communities.

Onovo also commended members for their participation and urged them to recommit themselves to rebuilding the chapter and restoring its past professional standards.

The Acting Secretary of the chapter, Mr. Nduka Odo, earlier presented the minutes of the previous meeting, which were adopted before the commencement of the lecture.

The clinic was attended by PR practitioners, academics and other stakeholders, including Dr. Ifeanyi Ojobor, Director of Academic Planning, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu; Dr. Kingsley Ikeobi of Dream FM, Enugu; Chief Dr. Okey Ogbonna, former Commissioner in Enugu State; and Dame Ifeoma Amuta, Manager, News, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), among others.