By Queen Kunde
The Nigerian military has called on the Association of Corporate Online Editors (ACOE) to support in its fight against insecurity.
The call was made by the Director, Defence Information (DDI), Brig. General Tukur Gusau when the acting leadership and selected members of ACOE paid a courtesy visit to his office at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the importance of online media as pacesetters in breaking as well as timely delivery of news to all parts of the world by a click of the button cannot be overemphasised as such the partnership is apt.
“First, we all know the importance of the Media, especially online media. Nowadays, online media seems to be faster than even the traditional media. Sometimes, it may take a day or two for news to appear on the newsstand with the traditional media.
“As for the online media, within a twinkle of an eye, it is already in the public domain.
“I must tell you I enjoy better working relationships with online media than even the traditional media, probably the traditional media delayed most times to critically consider the contents for publications.
“Today, however, everybody has become a journalist, who cannot afford to waste time in sending out information, especially critical information that has to do with our military operations and engagements.
“So I must thank you for giving us the space and your platforms, to issue out our press releases and make our operations well known to Nigerians,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the acting President, Association of Corporate Online Editors, Martins Odiete, solicited the Defence Headquarters’ collaboration for the successful implementation of the ACOE’s pan-Nigerian agendas.
“Our association is about two years in operation right now. We are members who are online individuals. We are Editors and Publishers with track records.
“The future of the Media is going online, and the online media has overtaken the media space. It is given this that we felt we should engage with the Defence Headquarters, that we are an association you can work with and we are ready to work with you. The military needs to know us better. There is the need to synergize with the DHQ, we are willing to carry your news as it drops.
We want to be partners in progress with you.
“As an association that is newly registered by the Federal government through the Corporate Affairs Commission, we are here to plead with the Defence Headquarters to partner with us for the future.
“Very soon, we shall be having our investiture event. It is our flagship program, which is going to be a weeklong event. We would appreciate the Director of Defence to play a very key role in that program. It is a big platform that the world will hook up to,” he concluded.