Major General Benjamin Olufemi Sawyer on Friday resumed as Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of Nigeria with an appeal to the media to refrain from giving undue publicity to terrorists and other non-State actors through sensational reports.
General Sawyer, a highly decorated senior officer of the Nigerian Army, while taking over as Director, Defence Information (DDI), solicited the cooperation of “media operators in all spectrums to consider jettisoning sensational headlines that give undue publicity to perpetrators of acts of criminality that tend to undermine our national security.
“As we are all aware, the Armed Forces of Nigeria in synergy with other security agencies have continued to work round the clock in surmounting the nation’s numerous security challenges which include terrorism, insurgency, militancy, illegal oil bunkering, armed banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling and other sundry crimes.
“These ugly developments, which have continued to affect the peaceful co-existence of the citizens of our dear country, would in no distant time be a thing of the past, judging from the positive feelers emanating from the theatres of operation.”
Appreciating the Chief of Defence Staff Gen Lucky Irabor and the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Farouk Yahaya for considering him worthy to be appointed as the Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, General Sawyer said that, it is indeed a clarion call and rare opportunity for him to contribute his quota as the new image-maker and mouthpiece of the Armed Forces of Nigeria towards the realisation of the leadership focus of the Chief of Defence Staff, which is, ‘To Foster a Professional Armed Forces capable of effectively meeting constitutional imperatives.’”
This leadership focus he said is presently being pursued vigourously in a professional manner and will require the support of the media at all times.
He noted that his task and responsibilities as Director Defence Information is to project the Armed Forces of Nigeria, galvanise the support of the media and the citizens for all military operational engagements and the numerous activities of the Defence Headquarters.
Earlier, Deputy Director, Defence Information, Air Commodore Wap Martin Maigida assured the new DDI of the unalloyed commitment and support of the entire staff of the Directorate towards assisting him in projecting the activities of the AFN and in attainment of set objectives.
He reminded General Sawyerr of the existing cordial working relationship within the Defence Headquarters and the media, particularly, the Defence Correspondents who, over the years, have been veritable partners in galvanizing public goodwill and support for the AFN and other security agencies in the quest of maintaining national security, peaceful and harmonious coexistence among Nigerians.
“Let me at this point, thank the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor NAM for supporting this Directorate throughout my short stay as the Acting Director, Defence Information which I indeed remain humbled for the privilege and honour to have served in that capacity,” he concluded.
General Sawyer is a member of the 27 Short Service Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Master of Science Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Magravs Defence Services Staff College Alex in India.
A former ADC to Lieutenant General TY Danjuma (rtd), former Minister of Defence, Sawyer was a Commanding Officer 231 Battalion, Biu and Commanding Officer, Nigerian Battalion 22 United Nations Mission in Liberia.
He was also a Commandant 22 Brigade Ilorin and later Director, Plans Department of Army Policy and Plans Abuja. He was Commandant Nigeria Armoured School in Bauchi before his appointment as director of Defence Information.
General Sawyer has also attended several military courses both in and outside Nigeria and is a Fellow, National Defence College, Abuja.