Desist from promoting unfounded allegations against Navy on social media, MASPAN cautions members

President of the Maritime Security Providers Association of Nigeria (MASPAN), Emmanuel Maiguwa, has cautioned members of the association to desist from promoting unfounded allegations capable of compromising the image of the Nigerian Navy especially on social media platforms.

Recall that an online publication in a report had accused the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla of accepting over $170 million in bribes and involvement in multi-billion naira contract splitting fraud.

Maiguwa in statement made available to Maritime Today Online noted that while the association respect the right of an individual or organization to air it’s views on social media, the method adopted may compromise MASPAN’s goal of supporting the Navy as partners in fighting insecurity within the nation’s maritime domain.

He warned that the association will not hesitate to sanction organisations whose staff consistently engages in these act without reprimand.

The statement reads, “While we respect individual and organisation’s right to air and promote views on media, the method we chose may compromise our goal of supporting the NN as partners in dealing with crimes within our waters.

“There are professional media out there trained to investigate and report information to the general public. I want to believe that this role are not part of our core functions. It does not, however, prevent us as individuals from passing vital information to the media.

“If we must promote any publication, we should be careful to ensure that they are information gotten from credible media houses.

“Lastly, it will be ideal for members to desist from promoting publications against the Nigerian Navy or its leadership on social media and call their employees to order, so we allow the professional media discharge this role while we focus on providing support to the NN.”