Presenting the new spokesman to the media in Maiduguri on Wednesday, the outgoing spokesman, Sagir, said Dole was his course-mate and roommate at the Nigerian Defence Academy, stressing that it was a coincidence that the officer was succeeding him as the Public Relations Officer of the newly created division. He disclosed that he has built the public relation unit from the scratch, adding that the unit can now operate with less challenges unlike when it started.
Sagir said the duties of heading public relations unit of various Army divisions as well as various special operations like JTF had given him the opportunity to work closely with four army generals, saying it was a rare opportunity in the Nigerian Army.
He said his success in JTF and subsequently his stint as the spokesman of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army was grealty assisted by what he called unprecedented support from journalists covering the insecurity in the state.
“I was touched by the cooperation of journalists here, their dedication and support. I have learnt a lot from you in the course of my duty in the state and I must confess that you people made me proud. This is one assignment in my profession that is different from others which I have participated. Your disposition to the coverage of the Boko Haram insurgency is commendable.
“No journalists in Nigeria or elsewhere can claim to understand the insurgency better than you. You are versed in the issue and your deep knowledge of the challenges and our operations here are appreciated,” he said. He urged the journalists to extend similar support to his successor.
Speaking at the occasion, the new spokesman, Dole, asked for the cooperation of journalists to make him succeed, saying both the media and security agencies all over the world were partners. He advised that the media should be concerned about national security and be interested in peace and unity of the country, adding that any act that could disintegrate the country should be condemned.
He also called on the media to continue to play a pivotal role in the on going counter-insurgency campaign of the Federal Government.
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