Hajiya Hamsatu addressing participants at the training in Maiduguri on Saturday
The Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development, has engaged journalists operating in Borno on Survivor-Centered Advocacy in the implementation of Transitional Justice in the state.
The training was organised by the foundation in collaboration with UKaid.
In her welcome address at the one-day training in Maiduguri on Saturday, the Executive Director of the foundation, Hajiya Hamsatu Allamin, said that journalists as key stakeholders have a vital role to play in promoting transitional Justice.
She noted that as a group that covered the over decade old insurgency and had the opportunity to interact with all categories of victims, journalists have the needed experience to play a leading role in survivor-centered advocacy for maximum results.
In his remarks, Prof. Abubakar Mu’azu, the Director, Centre for Peace, Diplomatic, and Development Studies (CPDDS) in University of Maiduguri, said the essence of the training was to enhanced the capacity of the journalists in giving victims of the insurgency the needed voice and visibility for justice inline with transitional Justice.
Mu’azu spoke on the need for the journalists to combat stigma, promote reconciliation, forgiveness and healing as well as respect the humanity of victims and survivors.
He also tasked the media on holding relevant government agencies accountable in their reports to promote justice.
Papers presented at the training included “Understanding Survivor-Centered Approach in Advocacy”, “The power of Media in Advocacy”, “Crafting Compelling Narratives Targeted at Survivor Centered Policies”, “Media Coordination in Building Effective Advocacy Campaigns”, and “Action Points for Survivor Centered Media Advocacy.”
Speaking on behalf of participants at the end of the training, the Vice Chairman of Borno State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Abdulkareem Haruna, commended the foundation for its usual support and collaboration with the media in promoting transitional Justice in Borno.
Haruna said that the training was timely and would be utilized for the purpose intended.
