The Present State Of NASPRI, A Testament Of A Sustained Hardwork and Commitment – Gen Fred Chijuka (rtd)

The Present State Of NASPRI, A Testament Of A Sustained Hardwork and Commitment – Gen Fred Chijuka (rtd)

Former Director Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Fred Chijuka (rtd) has stated that the present state of Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information (NASPRI) is a testament of a sustained hardwork and committed as this was evident in the facelift of the school. He made this assertion at the Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja auditorium in Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri Abuja when he paid a visit to the School during the graduation ceremony of students of first quarter 2025 courses.

While expressing his joy, he said that seeing good things happen to Army Public Relations in his life time has been one of his evergreen prayers and he is fulfilled even if he dies tomorrow. The journey to the establishment of NASPRI according to him dates back to 1987 when he was appointed Director Army Public Relations. He canvassed for the establishment of NASPRI to train personnel as against the practice of sending Officers and Soldiers to media houses to acquire knowledge.

Gen Chijuka’s happiness for the present state of NASPRI was written all over his face as he recounted the challenges encountered prior to his becoming a Director which he described as unstable. He however thanked Late Gen Sani Abacha who saw the uniqueness in him and appointed him the Director Army Public Relations. The former director concluded by saying he was instrumental in the establishment of Army Public Relations School and he is very happy to see the school which he pioneered improve tremendously in recent times.

In his graduation remarks, the Acting Commandant NASPRI, Lt Col AY Ngulde used the medium to eulogise the former Director for the visit. He also stressed that NASPRI stands as the cornerstone of Military Public Relations training institution for the Army and the Armed Forces at large.

He said since it’s establishment in 2010, the institution has remained committed in her mandate to produce well – trained, highly competent, and professional information managers and media operatives. According to him, NASPRI has over the years trained over 4000 Officers, Soldiers, Ratings, and Airmen from all the branches of the Armed Forces, reinforcing the essential role of the public relations in modern military operations.

He further admonished the graduating students as trained information and media professionals to bear the responsibility of ensuring that the military narratives are effectively communicated, that truth prevails over misinformation, and that the image of the Armed Forces remains untarnished. The courses undertaken by the students have provided them with practical skills that are indispensable in modern day military communication.

Earlier, the Acting Chief Instructor (CI) of the school, Maj Tonye Wenke read the course appraisal where he congratulated the students for a successful completion of their courses. The CI said that the students assembled on 6 January 2025 and were taken on intensive training both in practical and theory. They also participated in all the school routine extra curricular activities. The students according to him exhibited a high sense of discipline and abided by the laid down rules and regulations as contained in the School Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Maj Wenke however disclosed that out of the students, two were Returned to Units due to examination malpractice. This he attributed to the zero tolerance of the school towards any form of indiscipline. He adjudge the overall performance of the students as very commendable.

A total of 146 students from X1 Graphics, X3 News Writing and Reporting and A3 Video Operations Course graduated. Climax of the event was the presentation of certificates to the graduating students, presentation of awards to students who distinguished themselves in both character and learning, presentation of plaques to Youth Corps members who just concluded their one year service, presentation of plaque to the former Director Army Public Relations and a group photograph at the front of NASPRI office complex.