Inauguration: NUJ President Commends The Actualization Of Journalists For Peace Group In Kaduna

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ZAINAB TANIMU
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Inauguration: NUJ President Commends The Actualization Of Journalists For Peace Group In Kaduna

Zainab Tanimu
Kaduna, Northwest Nigeria
The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo,
has commended the take off of Journalists for Peace Group in Kaduna.
This commendation was given at the inauguration ceremony held at Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Secretariat  Kaduna.
Represented by the Council Chairman, Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Halilu, he described the event as a milestone in the history of his administration.
Peace he said is very paramount for sustainable development of any nation.
As members of fourth estate of the realms, he charged every journalist to work towards enhancing peace through their reportage.
”Our stories must be seen to reflect unity rather than generating divisive tendencies among the populace
As journalist covering conflict, we must always be proactive by first examining the causes of conflict, and then seek discussions about its solutions.”
Expressing satisfaction with the coming on board of the group, he said journalist for years have reported conflict from different angles but the narrative remained the same.
According to him,
“It’s either we are under reporting or not reporting well, hence, the birth of this group to guide us on the rudiments of conflicting reporting.
“This group has come together to achieve a desired goal that will have great impact on us as a people and Kaduna state, considering its volatile nature.
”We must all aim at correcting biases, when reporting, we all have choices on whether to douse the conflict or do otherwise which comes with damaging consequences.
”Peace journalists must carefully choose and analyze the words they use because words used carelessly often times are inflammatory and the outcome, severe.
Emphasizing further, he said.
”Reporters must make choices that improve the prospects for peace, these choices may include how to frame stories and carefully choosing which words to be used.
 ”We must learn to create an atmosphere conducive to peace and supportive of peace initiatives and peacemakers, without compromising the basic principles of good journalism.”
With electioneering and politicking heating the space, he cautioned.
“Soon, politicians will commence campaign in earnest and some of them will violate the electoral laws which could lead to havoc, so, as journalist, we must be careful with our coverages around their provocative statements.
”We urge us all to please tread with caution to avoid being victims of political rivalry which can land us in trouble.
As peace reporters, we must always be wary of propaganda, and instead seek facts from all sources before dishing out information. He cautioned.
Stressing further,
”The era of ‘if it bleeds it leads’ is no more the fancy of news reporting, especially in the current situation of the country. As advocates of professional peace and security journalists, it is also socially responsible to step down news capable of causing grave disaffection.
On the strategic role of NUJ in nation building, he said, you can see also,  NUJ President Now Heads Congress Of African Journalists.
In his commitment, Isiguzo assured the group of the union’s support.
“As a union, we will always support this initiative by working closely to achieve the desired goal of a peaceful and secured society.”
Speaking earlier, the Chairman, Journalists for Peace, (JFP) the new Galadiman Gbagyi, Chief Andrew Fadason said the group came into be, to change the narrative in media reportage in the interest of the common good.
 “We in journalists forum want to change the narrative by writing and promoting peace so as to bring about peace and harmony amongst our people. This we can achieve by working together with relevant stakeholders in the peace industry. All those involved in peace building process.
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While promising to work together with members of the group in actualizing the dream for which the group is created, he said.
“I will like to appreciate the commitment of the NUJ national president, Chief Chris Isiguzo toward the success of the forum, and our council Chairman, Hajiya Asma’u Yawo Haliru and her team for their cooperation. We know the kind of leadership qualities she has.”
Since journalists are taking a proactive action to be involved in the peace process. It becomes necessary to create awareness, he said.
“The purpose of inaugurating the forum is to make it public, as a way of creating awareness of the existence of such forum.
Members of the public need to know that something new is coming up. Something of a landmark. This is the first time that journalists are thinking of not only reporting conflicts, not only reporting communal clashes, not only reporting insecurity. We are now thinking of going a step further by being parts and parcels of peace processes. We are starting  a forum of warriors for peace, journalists warriors for peace in Kaduna.”
However, he noted that being warriors for peace does not mean that we will not be strictly guided by the rules and ethics of the profession.
 “Not that we are going to change how we are doing our reporting, saying we are not going to report all those negative things. Honestly we are still going to report that which needs to be reported but in a different way.  In a more professional, more ethical mind.
“To do that, we are going to collaborate with so many faith based organizations, community based organizations, civil society organizations, development partners even government organizations because this is a delicate business and also a very fragile business.
If you have peace and you don’t mane it very well, if you don’t tame it very well, it can be broken at any time and once it gets broken the consequences are usually very devastating.”
Chief Fadason charged members of the forum to be up and doing in the discharge of their duties so as to meet the desired goal.
He thanked all those that were able to grace the event physically as well as those  spiritually present for their support as the group looks forward to their collaboration.
The event witnessed representatives from different organizations across the state (NGOs, CSOs) who individually gave words of encouragements as well as promised collaboration with the group.
Speaking, Hajiya Medinat Lawal on behalf of Natrul Lahil-L-Fatih Society NASFAT Kaduna, promised healthy collaboration.
“Alhamdullilah,on behalf of  Lahil-L-Fatih Society NASFAT Kaduna, we promise a healthy collaboration. we promise to partner with you.
This has come at a better time particularly at this time that we have a lot going on in the aspect of conflicts, Banditry, kidnaping and the rest. Election is coming, we know that religion is a very sensitive issue and a lot of people use it to their own advantage. They use it to perpetrate what they want to perpetrate and they use our youth.
So l wish to say congratulations to you, congratulations to all of us.
We in NASFAT, we are really into peace and we will do everything to maintain peace in the society.
Hajiya Daharatu Ahmed on behalf of Women Interfaith Council Kaduna expressed willingness of the council to collaborate with Journalists for Peace Forum. Happy to be part of the historic event.
We appreciate the Chairman of this wonderful initiative. We say, Congratulations.
“We are happy to be partners with Journalists for Peace. Our mission is to see Muslims and Christians come together to promote peaceful co-existence and seek for the respect of women and youth in the society. So we are already partners in progress. Congratulations.
Amongst those present were, representatives of Federation of Women Lawyers,  Arewa Consultative Forum,  all with their goodwill messages and commitments to partner with Journalists for Peace Group.
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