The North-East Development Commission has launched a three-day workshop aimed at enhancing the capacity of the media, Civil Society Organisations, and staff on non-kinetic approaches to tackling insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
The workshop, held on Monday, saw over 100 participants and was organised by Ranlal Global Services Nigeria Ltd on behalf of the commission. The training focused on non-kinetic approaches, which involve non-destructive means such as dialogue, strategic communication, and other peacebuilding methods.
According to Abba Musa, Head of Corporate Affairs at NEDC, who was represented by Naomi Abwaku, the training was designed to orient stakeholders on the importance of peace.
Musa stated, “The need for non-kinetic approaches, which focus on peacebuilding and partnerships in addressing insurgency, is crucial.”
The Managing Director of NEDC, Goni Alkali, represented by the Director of Rehabilitation and Early Recovery, Sani Umar, officially opened the workshop. He highlighted that the workshop “reflects the shared commitment between journalists and an informed society. Your role is indispensable.”
Abubakar Kudu, the organiser, commended NEDC for approving the workshop, saying, “This workshop aims to equip CSOs and journalists to promote non-kinetic approaches to combating insurgency and building peace.
The management was intentional in selecting the participants.”
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahya, represented by Abdulkareem Haruna, praised the organisers, saying, “I am deeply committed to training journalists, as I mentioned in my campaign, to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to face the challenges of the profession.”
Yahya added, “Dialogue and strategic communication are vital in winning the war against insurgency. I commend the NEDC for selecting a resourceful team of journalists.”
Professor Umar Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, presented a paper on ‘Conflict-Sensitive Reporting: Principles and Best Practices’. He noted that communication has become increasingly regionalised, often driven by sentiment.
“People often carry stereotypes based on unreliable sources. As journalists, you must rise above your biases,” Pate remarked.
