A new spokesman for 1 Division, Nigeria Army Kaduna, Col. Abubakar Abdullahi has assumed office with a call for synergy and support from the media in Kaduna.

Abdullahi  made the call on Monday when he paid a courtesy visit to the Zonal Office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.

Abdullahi said there was need for strong collaboration between the Division and the media in the discharge of its responsibilities.

“I assumed command as the Deputy Director Public Relations, 1 Division, on the 16th of this month, that is four days ago, and today is my third working day in office.

“Instead of sitting down in the office and getting too comfortable, I felt it was better to make hay while the sun shines.

I decided to come here to pay homage and appeal for synergy between the News Agency of Nigeria and the 1 Division, Nigerian Army.

According to him, knowing the critical role the media plays in the security architecture of every society, not only security, but every human endeavour, it is important for me to come here and seek your cooperation and support so that we put hands together to achieve our national objective.

Responding, the Zonal Manager of NAN, Kaduna, Mr Yakubu Uba , said the military remained one of the agency’s priority constituents.

He said he had passion for defence reporting, having grown up in the barracks as the son of a military man.

Uba said he covered military activities as a State Correspondent in Yola and Maiduguri as well as served as the head of  Defence and Security Desk in Abuja before his posting to Kaduna as Zonal Manager.

“In NAN we don’t joke with reports from the military and other security agencies as part of our contribution to this ongoing fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other criminal acts across the country.

“I can assure you that we will continue to do our best to give you the needed coverage and highlight your activities as our own contribution,” he said.

Uba congratulated Abdullahi on his appointment and wished him success in Kaduna.

In a related visit, Abdullahi also met with members of the Defence Correspondents in Kaduna to formally introduce himself and solicit their cooperation for a strong working relationship.

He said many of the members were already familiar to him, having worked with them for about 30 months at Nigerian Defence Academy(NDA), before leaving in 2021.

“I have taken over leadership and I am here to solicit your support and cooperation.

“We are operating in an industry that is both strategic and important. It is only through collective effort, mutual understanding and cooperation that we can all succeed.

“Our relationship should be mutually beneficial, with each party playing its role and fulfilling its responsibilities. We all have important roles to play, and every stakeholder deserves a place at the table.