The Country Director, Actionaid Nigeria, Ene Obi, has called on journalists to focus more on stories that are geared towards peace build, conflict resolution and prevention of violent extremism in the communities across Nigeria.
The country Director who was represented by Fumilayo Oyefusi, Actionaid Director, Organizational effectiveness, stated on Tuesday in Karu, Nasarawa State, during a three day media training for selected journalists from Kogi and Nasarawa states on Advanced Conflict Sensitive Reportage held at the Goshen City, Karu.
According to her, journalists must always take note of their personal safety while reporting crisis situations, stressing that no story is worth the life of any journalists.
She insisted that reports on violence and crisis situation must be balanced, accurate, while also giving fair hearing to all sides in conflict to avoid the escalation of the conflict.
Speaking also, Anicetus Atakpu, Resilience Programme Coordinator, noted that the phase two System and Structures Strengthening Approach Against Radicalization to Violent Extremism (SARVE) was aimed at strengthening community resilience against violent extremism in Kogi and Nasarawa States.
According to him, the programme which will last for a period of three years, would be implemented in twenty four communities and in twelve local government areas in Kogi and Nasarawa States.
The six LGAs in Kogi State are; Igalamela/Odolu, Ankpa, Adavi, Okehi, Lokoja and Kogi, while six LGAs in Nassarawa State are; Obi, Lafia, Nasarawa-Eggon, Akwanga, Toto and Nasarawa.
The targeted groups for the SARVE two project includes, school children of ages 0-15years, youths within the age bracket of 15- 35 years, women and men from ages 36 and above.
