L-R, Chairman Board of Fellows, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Mr Frank Tamuno Koko, Commander , 54 Div Signals, Brig Gen BO Ologundudu, the Director Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Chris Olukolade, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Maj Gen Mohammed Isah and Chief Planning Officer National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Innocent Ezeaku at the occasion 

Training has been described as the best form of welfare that a commander could give to his troops. The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj Gen Mohammed Isah made this known recently while declaring open the first quarter Directorate of Army Public Relations Study Period 2010.

          General Isah stated that the focus of the Nigerian Army has been on training of its personnel to meet the challenges of carrying out its constitutional responsibilities considering the dynamic nature of our society, adding that “this study period is coming at no better time than now that the Nigerian Army is re-professionalising”.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Mohammed Isah, receiving a souvenir from the Director Army Public Relations (DAPR) at the occasion

          He further stated that the dynamic nature of conflict today underscores the importance of civil- military relations as modern day conflicts are  “battle for the hearts and minds”, stressing that superior gun power might lead to success in battle the civil populace are not won then the conflict is far from being over.

The GOC reiterated that this fact informed   part of the core vision of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) which is the maintenance of civil – military relations, maintaining that the theme of the period which is “Enhancing Nigerian Army’s Role in National Emergencies and Internal Security through Effective Public Relations” was most appropriate now that the Nigerian Army is involved in internal security operations.

He commended the Director and his staff for their efforts towards repositioning the Nigerian Army to take its pride of place not only within but also outside the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director, Army Public Relations (DAPR), Brig Gen Chris Olukolade, had said that the role of Directorate of Army Public Relations is critical in the overall success of the Nigerian Army operations, especially in the internal security operations and national emergencies where professional management of information and public relations are indispensible.

          Gen Olukolade said that as integral part of the Army, has the primary responsibility of creating and sustaining positive image of the Army, emphasizing that the Directorate has over the years worked tirelessly to ensure a cordial and harmonious relationship between Nigerian Army and the general public.

The DAPR also stated that the study period was designed to impact relevant knowledge and skills to the officers and soldiers of the Directorate, review the Public Relations programmes of the Army within the first quarter of the year, as well as provide forum for interaction with cross section of the media representatives within the 82 Division’s Area of Responsibility.

Gen Olukolade further said that the Directorate has a challenging task of informing the public on the numerous developments going on in all formations of the Nigerian Army particularly within the direct labour policy which is in line with Gen Dambazau’s vision of maximizing the utilization of available resources.

The event attracted personalities from both within and outside the Army including academics, media and public relations experts most of whom were resource persons and discussants during the study period.