- Safiu Kehinde
The Ministry of Defence has on Monday denied barring Channels Television from coverage of the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) symposium/lecture series held at the National Defence College, Abuja.
Reacting to reports suggesting the denial of Channels TV access to the venue of the event, the ministry said a media advisory had been circulated ahead of the event, indicating a 10:00 a.m. start.
As contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Chief Information Officer, Queeneth Iheoma-Hart, the ministry noted that the advisory requested media personnel to be seated by 9:30 a.m. to allow for accreditation, security screening and smooth proceedings.
It disclosed that a Channels TV cameraman, who arrived before the programme commenced, was duly granted access and covered the event without interruption.
“A reporter who arrived after proceedings had begun was denied late entry strictly on security and protocol grounds, as dignitaries were already seated and checks were ongoing,” she said.
Iheoma-Hart faulted what she described as “inaccurate reporting suggesting deliberate exclusion”, stressing that it valued professional media organisations as partners in public information and transparency.
The spokesperson urged media houses to verify facts before broadcast.
She reaffirmed that the ministry would accord utmost respect to all invited media organisations to cover subsequent AFCRD activities, subject to schedules and standard security procedures.