The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has called for sustained efforts to promote peace.
The Sultan stated this at the opening ceremony of a two-day conflict-sensitivity training workshop for media practitioners and influencers in Sokoto.
The programme was organised by Action Against Hunger, International Alert and Save the Children Initiative (STCI), in partnership with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, with funding from the European Union.
Sultan Abubakar, represented by the Waziri of Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, said peace should not be regarded as an abstract ideal, but as a fundamental condition for human existence, development and freedom to practice religion.
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“Without peace, nothing will move forward; without peace, you cannot conduct your religion,” he said.
He urged stakeholders, particularly journalists and other influential voices, to make peace-building a central responsibility and avoid narratives capable of deepening religious, ethnic, political and communal divisions.
The Sultan said the media had enormous power to shape public opinion and influence human behaviour, noting that responsible and conflict-sensitive journalism could help reduce tensions rather than intensify them.
The Chairman of NUJ, Sokoto State Council, Comrade Usman Binji, commended the supporting organisations for facilitating the capacity-building programme for journalists in the state.
Also, speakers from Save the Child Initiative, International Alert Nigeria, and Action Against Hunger said the workshop is also expected to establish a Community of Practice to enable journalists, media influencers and other stakeholders to sustain collaboration, exchange knowledge and promote conflict-sensitive approaches to journalism beyond the training.
