The Nigeria Chief Of Defense Staff General Abayomi Olonisakin at a Regimental Dinner Night held for members of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Senior Course 40, advised personnel on the usage of social media and its likely implication as a Military officer.
General Olonisakin who said it was an honour to him to be addressing the officers and acquaint the Junior Commanders with new approaches to Managing Asymmetric Threats in a Complex Security Environment, in his address said:
“As Junior Commanders, your role becomes even more challenging when operating in an environment that is intricately woven and influenced by many factors and differing actors, most of which aren’t defined by military necessities.
Hence, you must have a thorough understanding of the dynamics that define the crisis you are deployed to contain, and the interplay of the various actors. This will enable you to exhibit clear thought and adequate judgment in decision making even when under pressure. He said.
The General in his address, also caution the Commanders on decision making, insisting they must be apolitical when taking decisions and or actions, saying:
As Commanders and indeed as members of the Armed Forces, you are required to be apolitical and neutral in decision making and subsequent actions.
Additionally, long-term success against terrorism and insurgency, and indeed asymmetric threats requires a whole-of-government approach and not just a military solution.
The actions of the military merely serve to create the necessary conditions for other agencies of government to function in the restoration of long-term peace and security in crisis areas.
In providing this much needed secured environment, therefore, as an Officers, you must understand and appreciate the important roles of other security agencies in the overall security architecture.
I enjoined all of you to always explore ways of forging better inter-agency cooperation at all levels in subsequent deployments.
On the use of social media which the general said was crucial, said,
“Note that one of the major sources of fuelling negative reportage on our operations is the uncontrolled use of the social media by personnel who may inadvertently expose classified information on operations.
While the Armed Forces of Nigeria is not against the use of social media by its personnel, we must be mindful of the risks especially as members of security forces. We must, therefore, be responsible for our use of social media.
Finally, congratulation to our Allied students from different African countries who participated in the Course and I want you all to be good ambassadors of the prestigious AFCSC in your respective countries.
Thank You.