Nigerian Army Seeks Stronger Media Partnership with Nigerian Tribune

The Acting Director of Nigerian Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Appolonia Anele, on Thursday stressed the need for deeper collaboration between the military and the media to promote accurate and timely reporting on national security matters.

She made this known during a courtesy visit to the Abuja office of the Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, located at Piwoyi, Airport Road, Abuja.

Lieutenant Colonel Anele, who was accompanied by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Unuakhalu and Major Audu Arigu, commended the Nigerian Tribune for its longstanding role in journalism and national development.

She described the newspaper as a highly respected publication, praising its professionalism in covering military activities.

“The reason I am here is to seek collaboration. I appreciate the good work you are doing for the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and I encourage you to do more. My doors are always open. I understand the need for timeliness and for hearing both sides of the story in your reportage, and I will try as much as possible to provide the information you need,” she assured.

In his response, the Acting Abuja Bureau Chief of Nigerian Tribune, Prince Jacob Segun Olatunji, reaffirmed the paper’s position as Nigeria’s oldest surviving national daily, established in 1949, and noted its influence in shaping public discourse on politics and current affairs.

Olatunji commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their sacrifices in safeguarding the nation, saying: “If not for the Armed Forces, there would be no Nigeria. We commend the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for their efforts in securing the country. The Nigerian Tribune will continue to support the Army and the Armed Forces in disseminating their activities to the public.”

He also appealed to the military leadership to sustain focus on the welfare of troops deployed in various theatres of operation nationwide. According to him, “We used to hear of challenges concerning troops’ welfare in the past, but since the current COAS, General Oluyede, assumed office, the situation has improved. We have not received any negative reports. We urge him to continue in this direction, and please convey our greetings—we salute his style of leadership.”

The visit highlights the Nigerian Army’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its relationship with the media to foster mutual understanding and ensure balanced reporting of security operations across the country.