The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, yesterday, called on the citizenry to desist from the habit of raining curses on the nation and its leaders.
Musa warned that Nigerians must realise the efficacy and power of the spoken word and its capacity to do damage.
He also clarified the reason behind the Nigerian military’s increased use of non-kinetic tactics, citing their efficacy in battling terrorism and other national security issues.
The Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) arranged the one-day seminar at the Army Resource Center in Abuja with the theme “Civil Military Relations: Non-kinetic Efforts of the Nigerian Military in Security Management, Challenges and Prospects.” He spoke at the event.
He asserted that for Nigeria to advance, its citizens must have optimism about their country.
“It is crucial to remember that a nation must exist before you can even begin a discussion about it. When I hear Nigerians speaking poorly of their nation, there are moments when I find it extremely difficult to comprehend.
“We all know as Africans that there’s power in the word. What you say means a lot. We must learn how to be positive about our country. That’s the only way we can be productive.
“We have seen countries, most countries, it’s not like they don’t have issues, but they don’t put their own problems in the forefront like we do and that is what is affecting us as individuals.
“So, it’s important that we must take ownership of our country. We must wish our country well and our leaders well. When they err, let us call them to question and proffer solution,” he said.
The defence chief further lamented that, “It’s not just negative criticism. Every day you are insulting, you are abusing. You are calling God to punish.
“No, you cannot kill your country because you feel it is just that you feel like that. You don’t grow a country with such attitude. There must be a nation before you can even discuss it, and that is very critical. Sometimes I find it very hard to understand when I hear Nigerians speaking evil about their country,” he added.
Explaining further why the Nigerian military was deploying more non-kinetic approach in the war against terrorism, he said it was more effective in combating terrorism and other security challenges in the country.
He said the traditional notion of war relying heavily on kinetic means was gradually being relegated and the Nigerian military was keen to possess and apply non-kinetic approaches to project power, secure interests and solve problems.
He said the seminar was timely considering the the significance of non-kinetic approach in winning the battle against terrorism and other security challenges.
“Nigeria, as a diverse and complex nation, faces a mirage of security threats that demand our varying attention and concerted efforts to address.
“From separatism, insurgencies and terrorism to intercommunal conflicts, transnational organised crimes and the mirror of other security challenges, the task of securing our nation is formidable and tasking.
“In tackling these threats, we are not unmindful of the shift from seeking victory through kinetic means.
“Though the overall power potential of the country is still being determined by conventional military artists, there is no doubt that the non-kinetic means are becoming more relevant in the power potentials of Nigeria.
“The armed forces of Nigeria, being the key driver encountering the myriad of security threats nationwide, has sustained non-military and soft strategies as a means to an end of this multifaceted threats,” he said.
The defence chief said the military all over the world had learnt that when dealing with non-state actors, the military and the adversaries struggle for the hearts and minds of the citizens, hence the Nigerian military worked to be ahead of adversaries.
“It is not worth the enforcement of Nigerians’ non-kinetic efforts towards winning the hearts and minds of citizens and encouraging other sectors of the society to take ownership of the situation in order to contribute meaningfully to defeating the multifaceted threats,” he said.
Musa listed some of the non-kinetic activities conducted by the military to include Operation Safe Corridor designed to deradicalise, rehabilitate and reintegrate surrendered, willing and repentant members of the terrorist groups.
Others included civil military cooperation and engagement with key leaders of various communities and stakeholders, especially those directly affected by security as well as the veterans.
“Our main focus remains the targeting of the will of the people through the application as a combination of soft and non-military means,” he said.
DECAN President Ismail Musa had earlier stated in his welcome speech that the association’s members were employees of respectable organizations that were committed to promoting national security and the advancement of the nation.
He explained that the event’s theme was deliberately selected to help “reshape our minds towards effective service delivery.”
He continued, “Educating our members and the public about the ongoing soft approach adopted by the military in the quest to further secure the nation is also part of our noble mandate.”
Director of Defense Media Operations Maj Gen Edward Buba stated in his letter of goodwill that government and society needed to work together to address the country’s security situation.
He claimed that the military and the media are both crucial to address the challenge.
Speaking in the same vein, the Director Defence Information (DDI), Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, thanked DECAN for organising the seminar attendance.
“All of us are working towards a better society, a better nation. I will continue to appeal that you consider ethics in your engagement with us,” he said.
The Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre, Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa (rtd) represented by Commodore BM Sule, decried the use of artificial intelligence by hostile state and non-state actors to foment fake news and lack of collaboration among security agencies.
He however, said the media played a crucial role in fostering dialogue and understanding between the military and the public.
Kingsley Nwezeh, Abuja
