“Misinformation and all forms of hindrances that will make just a simple incident become out of proportion must be managed,” said Rear Adm. Michael Oamen, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, at an end-of-year media engagement held at the Western Naval Command in Lagos before the start of 2025.
Oamen stated that the speed at which information is generated and transmitted today is such that you must keep pace with it to manage it and ensure national security.
“So, the Western Naval Command is aware of such reality and we have decided that we must engage with the media within our sphere to have a platform to close that gap,” he said.
According to the FOC, once such a breach was established, it would be exploited; thus, having a forum to communicate with the media on a regular basis would assist resolve problems.
“Such a platform will help straighten up any misconception or misinformation and that way we all will be contributing our quota to the attainment of our national security objective.
“In addition to our kinetic engagement, we have what we call the non-kinetic which encompasses our relationship with the larger society.
“Here, we try as much as possible to let every stakeholder in the society play their part in ensuring national security,” he said.
According to Oamen, no one actually benefited from tactics that were caused by false information or improper application of the information spectrum.
He asserts that when everyone contributes to the good of society, it will benefit everyone.
According to the FOC, 2024 was a very eventful year for the command, and it valued the media’s contribution to keeping the public informed about all of its operations.
“As we look forward to 2025, the Western Naval Command, being the premier operational command of the Navy. we will be engaging in so many exercises and activities.
“Therefore, we are going to count on your support to inform the public of all our efforts, so that at the end of the day, the nation, is better for it,” Oamen concluded.