The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has warned the Nigerian Army clerks against disclosure of classified military documents, as it could pose danger to the nation.
General Buratai stated this last weekend during the 2017 Nigerian Army office management and document security workshop held at the 2 Division headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Chief of Army Staff, who was represented by Major General Idris Alkali, pointed out that the workshop was meant to draw the participants’ attention to the importance of securing service documents in a manner that would not jeopardize Nigerian Army operations and administration.
He added that the workshop would also provide them a platform to contribute meaningfully towards the various dimensions of office management and document security.
“All these would help to tune you towards playing your expected roles in actualising my vision, which is, ‘to have a professionally responsive Nigerian Army in the discharge of it constitutional roles,” Buratai stated.
The COAS said he directed that the workshop be held, knowing the important roles of clerks in the handling and management of documents, some of which are highly classified and which disclosure would pose danger to national security.
He noted that the clerks were essential elements in document and information security, enjoining them to remain alert, constantly vigilant and be refreshed on their enormous duties and responsibilities.
He also said that the Nigerian Army operations involved the lives of the police and comrades who rely on the output of the clerks’ work to take operation actions.
“You cannot afford to take your responsibilities lightly, as the consequences of your inactions would often be felt well beyond the comfort of offices and orderly rooms.
“Take the workshop seriously so that you will not only learn new things and be refreshed on document security and office management but also be able to inculcate the gain in the orderly rooms,” Buratai admonished.
He also pointed out that the social media had brought additional challenge to information security as it was being used by those he described as “misguided personnel”, contrary to service rules.
“The Nigerian Army has extant policy on the use of social media which prohibits the use of social media to discuss or disclose service matters,” Buratai stated further.
He described such actions as unfortunate and unprofessional, pointing out that the Nigerian Army had well established channel for addressing complaints.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding of the 2 Division, Major General Chukwunedum Abraham pointed out the vital role that training plays in the growth and development of every organisation, saying that regular training at all levels remained critical to the military because of its peculiar role in the society.
The GOC also stated that the workshop was carefully organised to remind participants of their responsibilities in handling information and documents in the face of prevailing security situation in Nigeria.
He urged the participants to keep open minds and participate actively so that they would derive maximum benefits from the workshop, saying it would go a long way to enrich the lectures.
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