By Ifeanyichukwu Marcus
Selected journalists from Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara States have converged on Birinin Kebbi in a 3- Day training, themed, Common Ground journalism and Conflict Sensitive Reporting.
The workshop was organized by an International Non Governmental Organization, NGO, known as Search For Common Ground, SFCG, aimed at enhancing collaboration for peace between community leaders, stakeholders and security agencies.
Speaking at the workshop, the Nigeria Coordinator of Search for Common Ground, Mr. Mangai Alfred, said that the issue of conflict and violence always arise from mostly bordering communities.
Alfred noted that no society can treat the issue of peace with a mere wave of hand, saying that peace effectively builds environment where everyone lives happily.
According to him, once there is a crack in any peaceful environment, there must be social, political and socioeconomic breakdown.
“No matter how the government and security agencies try to restored the peace, it will never be the same again, because lives and properties have been lost, relationships destroyed”, he added.
“In line with our core, values, we require the full collaboration of religious leaders, women and children groups, security agencies and other stakeholders”
He pointed out the essence of building trust and establishing a rapport with community leaders, organizations, gathering information about community’s concern, priorities, expectations, identifying influential individuals, groups within the community to ensure the projects relevance and effectiveness.
“Conflict, if not effectively addressed can escalate to violence. Conflict is an opportunity for growth, depending on how it is handled”
