By ibrahima yakubu
The Network of Peace Journalists (NPJ) Kaduna, has commended the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA), for organizing a two-day media workshop on peace journalism for journalists based in Kaduna.
A statement issued and signed by NPJ’s Team Leader, Ibrahima Yakubu, and made available to newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, expressed the Network’s gratitude to JISRA Consortium for organizing the training, which benefited over 20 journalists in the state.
According to the statement, The workshop with the theme: “The Role of Media in Interfaith Relations and Peace Building,”
aimed to strengthen peace and unity in the state.
It also aimed to enhanced the capacity of journalists from various media outlets, including the electronic, print, online, and blogs.
The statement further stated that the primary goal of the workshop was to create a safe platform for Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and media professionals to discuss strategies for promoting a just and peaceful society in Kaduna State and Nigeria at large
The statement reads: “Local partners and implementers such as the Development Initiative of West Africa (DIWA), Dialogue, Reconciliation and Peace (DREP), Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Justice Peace and Reconciliation Movement (JPRM), Rural Development Counsellors for Christian Churches in Africa (RURCON), Scripture Union West Africa (SUWA), and Women’s Interfaith Council (WIC) were in attendance.
“Presentations were made by consortium partners from three international Non-Governmental Organizations: Tearfund Netherlands & Tearfund UK (Nigeria Country Consortium Lead), Search for Common Ground, Mensen met een Missie (MM), and the Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (MM’s representative in Nigeria).
“The Network noted that several research papers were presented, providing valuable insights into ways to mitigate conflicts through media reporting.
“It therefore, emphasized the importance of strengthening relationships with JISRA and other peace partners to promote peace and stability across the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna State.”
Yakubu commended the supportive partners for their courage and commitment to promoting peace and unity in Kaduna state, particularly in some LGAs where they operate.
“The journalists selected for the workshop were chosen based on positive recommendations and their dedication to peace-building stories that promote unity among Nigerians.
“With the extensive knowledge gained from the JISRA workshop, journalists are expected to be more committed to reporting peace and developmental journalism that fosters unity,” he said in the statement.
The Lead of the Nigeria JISRA Lobby, Advocacy and Communications Working Group (LAC- WG), Reuben Emmanuel Esq.,
disclosed that the workshop aimed to create a collaborative platform for CSOs and media members to discuss strategies for promoting just and peaceful society in Kaduna State.
While stressing the need for synergy with the media to reduce tension and combat fake news, Emmanuel, called on all stakeholders to join efforts in promoting peace and unity in the state and the nation.
He explained that the JISRA programme is currently being implemented in seven countries: Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mali, Kenya, Uganda, Indonesia, and Iraq.
The workshop was organized by JISRA, a product of the Power of Voices (PoV) Alliance formed by Mensen met een Missie, Tearfund NL & Tearfund UK, and Search for Common Ground. The PoV Alliance is funded by the Dutch Government from 2021 to 2025.
