NGF Partners Media On Conflict Reportage, Peace Building
BY AHMED TUKUR, ABUJA – The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has challenged journalists on accurate and objective reportage of conflicts and peace building in the country.
According to the Forum, only responsible reportage of events across the country will aid in creating an enabling environment for peace and nation building to thrive on a sustainable basis.
The Director General of NGF, Asishana Bayo Okauru said the Forum will therefore continue to partner with the media to promote issues that keep Nigeria as one united and peaceful nation.
Addressing participants at a two day training for journalists on peace and conflict–sensitive reporting held at the NGF Secretariat in Abuja, Okauru assured the Forum will not relent in ensuring media practitioners are adequately trained to deliver on their statutory responsibilities as members of the fourth estate of the realm.
“The NGF, as a platform for all the 36 state governors, believes in the fundamentals and inalienable importance of freedom of speech and so continues to partner with the media to achieve this noble objective”, he said
The Director General further said; “We are convinced that no nation develops without a responsible media”, even as he urged journalists to imbibe a high sense of professionalism that will help hold the Nigerian society together.
“On our part, we expect high standards of professionalism and a keen eye to details from all of you.
“I have been reliably informed that Premium Times has invited some of the most introspective journalists to interact with us at this training”, Okauru said.
In her intervention at the training workshop, Proprietor of Radio Now 93.2 Lagos, Kadaria Ahmed urged journalists to avoid sentiments and biased reportage in the course of their duties.
Speaking on the imperative of ethics and professionalism in reporting, Kadaria stressed on the need for ethical journalism and urged media practitioners to stop attaching tribal issues and sentiments to their daily reportage.
