The Search for Common Ground (SFCG) a non-governmental organisation has trained journalists from border states on Conflicts, Insecurity And War Management for communities around Nigeria-Benin Republics borders under Enhancing Collaboration For Peace And Security (ECPS Project).
Speaking yesterday during the opening of a 3-Day training for the selected journalists from Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Kwara and Niger states by the NGO held at Azbir Hotel Conference Hall in Birnin Kebbi, Governor Nasir Idris represented by the commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed Birnin Kebbi described the training as timely considering the current situation of farmers/herders clashes, unrest on border communities as well as banditry in the northwest zone of the country.
Birnin Kebbi, commended the efforts of the organisers and reaffirmed the government’s support for initiatives such as training aimed at strengthening professional standards and media ethics. He said the administration is committed to creating an enabling environment where journalists can operate freely, responsibly ,and safely.
He advised the participants to fully engage with the sessions, share experiences, ask questions, and most importantly listen so as to have a common understanding.
” Let this training be the beginning of a border movement where our stories become tools of connection rather than conflict, and where the media serves not just as a mirror of society, but as a guide towards a better, more inclusive future,” he said.
Earlier, National Media and Digital Peace Building Specialist, Temisan Etietsola said the participants were drawn from five states bordering Benin Republic, and are to be trained on Common Ground Journalism for Conflict Sensitive Reporting under Enhancing Collaboration For Peace and Security (ECPS Project).
He disclosed that ECPS Project is a 15-month project funded by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs Crisis and Support Centre (CSC) with an overall goal of contributing to peace and security in Nigeria-Benin border communities.
According to Etietsola, the training is aimed at enhancing collaboration for peace and security within ECPS Project locations through peace building initiative, early warning and response system, trust and confidence building initiative that seeks to strengthen community structures of social cohesion.
