By Hussaini Yero, Funtua The Zamfara Peace Journalists’ Forum (ZAMPEJF), in collaboration with international peacebuilding organ...
By Hussaini Yero, Funtua
The Zamfara Peace Journalists’ Forum (ZAMPEJF), in collaboration with international peacebuilding organization Search for Common Ground, on Thursday sensitised 100 students of the Mass Communication Department at the Zamfara College of Arts and Sciences (ZACAS), Gusau, on peacebuilding and conflict-sensitive reporting.
The one-day sensitisation programme was held under the ‘Enhancing Collaboration for Peace and Security (ECPS)’ project, which targets communities along the Nigeria–Benin Republic border.
Search for Common Ground is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to ending violent conflict and building safe, just, and healthy societies.
Speaking at the event, the Provost of ZACAS, Malam Nura Salisu Anka, commended the Forum and its partners for selecting the college as a venue for the training, describing it as timely in view of the growing trend of unprofessional journalism in society.
“We are happy with this intervention. We are ever ready to partner with the ECPS project and Search for Common Ground to educate our students,” he said.
Anka pledged increased collaboration with media stakeholders to enhance the capacity of journalism students graduating from the institution.
Presenting a paper titled “Concept of Peace, Conflict and Violence, and Conflict Resolution”, ZAMPEJF Chairman, Ishaq Tambuwal, said the programme aimed to equip the students with the necessary skills to practice peace journalism.
Tambuwal explained that the Mass Communication Department was chosen due to the students’ active participation in journalism-related activities across the state.
“Zamfara, as the epicentre of various security challenges in the North-West, requires responsible and peace-driven media practitioners to complement government efforts in addressing the crises,” he said.
He urged future journalists to use their platforms to promote peace, reconciliation, dialogue, and social cohesion.
“We thank the Mass Communication Department and the college management for their support in making this sensitisation possible,” Tambuwal added.
He also expressed gratitude to Search for Common Ground for its continued support in strengthening the capacity of journalists in the state.
Also speaking at the event, Malam Shehu Sani of Pride FM, FRCN Gusau, delivered a lecture on “Conflict-Sensitive Reporting and Its Impacts”. He urged students to embrace journalism as a tool for societal development.
Sani, who also serves as the State Secretary of ZAMPEJF, encouraged the participants to write credible and responsible stories that address issues of public interest and help mitigate security challenges.
In his welcome remarks, the Head of the Mass Communication Department, Malam Tukur Janyau, described the collaboration with ZAMPEJF and Search for Common Ground as a positive step.
“We are grateful for this exercise, which will impart knowledge about ethical and credible journalism,” he said, assuring the department’s readiness to deepen collaboration with relevant journalism platforms.
A Pre-HND student, Yusha’u Lawali, who spoke on behalf of the participants, described the training as timely and impactful.
“We have gained valuable insights into how journalism can be used to promote peace and stability in our communities,” he said.
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