Army Promises To Allow Journalists Access To Information

07.11.2009

THE Nigerian Army has assured journalists across the country of free access to information about the command in the interest of the public. Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier- General Chris Olukolade, gave the assurance during the courtesy visit to Oyo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Iyaganku, Ibadan, on Thursday.

According to him, the public has the right to be informed about happenings in every sector of the society and the Nigeria Army should not be an exception.

“I want to assure you that journalists will be given access to any information that will not jeopardise the national security,” he promised.

Olukolade, who maintained that discipline and total compliance to the rule of law had been the watchwords of the army, added that the military had a cordial relationship with the civilians, which is a necessity to sustain the present democratic dispensation.

He, however, pleaded with journalists to change people’s perception about the army through their reports, saying “the army now cherishes friendly military-civilian co-existence.”

Earlier in his welcome address, the acting Chairman, Oyo State council of NUJ, Mr. Solomon Ayoade, who lauded the military on a cordial relationship with the civilian, advised the Army’s Public Relations Unit to always be transparent, especially in responding to journalists in the course of their investigations.