The Federal Government disclosed, yesterday, that talks are ongoing for the release of more girls abducted by Boko Haram on April 14, 2014, from Government Secondary School, Chibok, Borno State.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina said shortly after delivering lectures at the Nigeric Relations and Information (NASPRI) annual media workshop for Defence Correspondents and Commanding Officers.
Adesina said with talks still ongoing, many more girls would be recovered.
He debunked reports that federal government knows sponsors of Boko Haram and explained that, if government knows the sponsors and it is sure that they are sponsors, they woule sponsors, they would not be spared.
Adesina’s comments came shortly after he urged the military to be more open in its relationship with the media “to ensure that friction in information management are avoided.”
He bemoaned mutual distrust between the media and the military, and noted that the military must allow the media, controlled access to information to enable it work effectively.
“If we don’t tell our side of the story, shame on us. Reporters are like alligators. You don’t have to love them, but, you do have to feed them,” Adesina said, quoting an American soldier.
He said that it is important that the military feeds the media with information, and said that like alligators, a hungry media is “doubly dangerous.”
Adesina added that “the change which is obtainable in the political circle must also be seen in the relationship between the media and the military, especially as the media expects open and independent news coverage, facilitated by the military.
“This is one of the most credible methods of communicating the military’s message,” adding that “the military should adopt credential media as this forecloses bad journalism and fosters confidence.”
Earlier, Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai said activities of Boko Haram are capable of destroying the development and economic wellbeing of the nation if the group is not completely wiped out.
He called on well-meaning Nigerians to cooperate with the military and other security agencies by way of providing timely information on suspicious activities of individuals and groups in their communities and localities.
General Buratai, who was represented by Major General Peter Bojie, said providing information to the military will go a long way in assisting security agencies counter activities of tinsurgents and perpetrators of evil in Nigeria.
