NGO trains Nasarawa/Benue Journalists on sensitive conflict reportage
By DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia –
Over 45 selected journalists from Nasarawa and Benue States, have been trained on sensitive reportage during conflicts in Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The one day workshop put together by consortium partners and sponsored by USA aid (USAID), was held on Wednesday, in Benue Hotel and Resort, Makurdi.
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Mr Danjuma Saidu Dawup, who is the chief of partners, said the purpose of the workshop was to train journalists on sensitive reportage during conflicts.
According to him, the aim was also to help media practitioners to embrace their understanding of conflict sensitivity, so that they can provide accurate and comprehensive coverage in such situation.
“We are supporting media practitioners to understand the concept of digital peace building and for them to recognise that they can make a constructive difference during times of conflict” he said.
According to him, some of the conflicts in Nigeria are caused by resource control, lands, psychology, culture, values, tradition, speculations and assumptions based on individual’s sense of understanding and sentiments.
Dawup, also attributed the cause of conflicts between farmers and herders to outer layers, saying the farmer is protecting his farm because he has tied his budget to the farm, while the herder is also looking at his 50 cows to enable him be an ardo.
He said conflict situations are dynamic, they can evolve into ethnic or religious crisis, as such, a journalist need to do away with his personal interest, emotion and sentiment and do reports that will proffer solutions, rather than fueling the crisis.
The workshop was organised by Peace Action for Rapid and Transformative Nigeria Early Response (PARTNER), in conjunction with Mercy Corps Nigeria (MCN), West Africa Network for Peace-Building (WANEP), Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Kaduna State Peace Commission (KSPC), Plateau Peace Building Institute (PPBA).
Others are Nasarawa and Benue State Peace Institutes, KUKAH Centre, indipendent Based Peace Architectures and other consortium partners, sponsored by USA aid (USAID).