Journalists in Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area of Kaduna state have made commitment to support activities that will promote lasting peace in southern Kaduna.
They made the commitment at a one-day capacity building for journalists on peace reporting as part of activities towards the implementation of the Network of Nigerian Facilitators NNF, peace dialogue project in Kaduna, North West Nigeria.
The one-day training was to increase the knowledge of participants on advocacy journalism as a tool towards achieving sustainable development.
In a paper on advocacy journalism, Joy Gadani, a Program Officer with Africa Media Development Foundation, AMDF, enjoined participants to be more committed towards promoting peace as part of their social responsibility to their communities.
According to her, journalism has gone beyond neutrality as a result of evolving trends and the need for sustainable development.
“As journalists representing various platforms, you should make it a point of duty to amplify the voices of local peace builders in your communities.”
The Project Facilitator, Sekyen Dadik, stated that journalists need to utilize the various platforms they represent to act as bridges that reconcile conflicting communities of Goska and Dangoma in Jema’a local government area.
She said the role of journalists in peace building can never be overemphasized, hence it became Imperative to highlight the significance of peace through broadcast programs, articles, and direct engagement with members of the community.
“Often times you will hear a person say, I heard it from on the radio. This goes to show the power within the reach of journalists,” she stressed.
Journalists reaffirmed their commitment towards producing contents that will not only promote peaceful co-existence, but also ensure sustainable peace in the area.
Wisdom Adamu, a participant at the meeting said peace building has been part of their duties as journalists, “NGOs like yours have operated in southern Kaduna, they have gotten our support, and we don’t see the reason why we will not support yours for the same purpose, and until peace is established, we will not stop.”
The project titled “Community Dialogue to Foster Peaceful Co-Existence Among Goska and Dangoma Communities in Kaninkon Chiefdom, Jema’a local government” seeks to involve community members through peace dialogue and non-violent actions to work together towards restoring trust and sustainable peace and stability in their communities.
The project is being implemented by Network of Facilitators in Nigeria and funded by United States Institute of Peace, USIP.
