GOC 81 Division Meets Defence Correspondents, Appeals for Stronger Collaboration

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division Major General, Lawrence Fejokwu, has appealed to the 81 Division Defence Correspondents for stronger collaboration by ensuring that they are guided by the principle of balance reporting while reporting on activities of the Division and by extension the Nigerian Army (NA)

The GOC made the appeal while receiving the Division’s Defence Correspondents at the Headquarters of the Division in Victoria Island, Lagos on Thursday.

He urged the correspondents to be mindful of sensational reports as they could attract negative inferences that could trigger crises. He noted that he would ensure an open-door policy that would give the Defence Correspondents unfettered access to clarify any report on the activities of the NA within his area of responsibility. He added that if such clarification is beyond him, he would guide them on the next step to take.

Major General Fejokwu while speaking on his expectations on security within Lagos and Ogun States, said the Military is here to protect all law abiding citizens by ensuring that they go about their businesses in the safest environment.

He cited intelligence as the major key to solving any security challenges as the battle can only be won if the civil populace bring credible information to security agencies that can be used to nip security challenges in the bud before they snowball into crisis. He further said the Division will keep members of the press informed on the progress made in terms security measures put in place to improve the level of security in the 2 States.

Responding on possible plans of the 81 Division to prevent possible attacks on government facilities within his area of responsibility, the GOC stated that the military in conjunction with other various agencies are working on strategies to contain any attacks but for operational security reasons he would not disclose such measures. He added that very soon the press would start seeing manifestation of significant improvement in the security architecture of the States.

Highlights of the visit included the introduction of the GOC and other principal staff officers of the Division as well as the Defence Correspondents. Also, there were interactive session and group photograph.