As part of measures strengthen the relative peace among farmers, herders and local populace, in Adamawa and Taraba states, the Search for Common Ground (SFCG) has urged journalists and other media professionals to be positive and patriotic in their reporting.
The organisation made the call yesterday in Abuja during a two-day retreat for journalists funded by the European Union (EU).
The media retreat saw the participation of both representatives from government and heads of media institutions from the two states.
The event aimed at mitigating conflicts over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Adamawa and Taraba States (COMITASII) Project, was part of measures at bringing lasting solutions to the protracted farmer/herder conflicts in Taraba and Adamawa states.
Speaking during the event the Project Manager SFCG Adamawa and Taraba, Mr Gambo Wada, said that the event to exchange knowledge and experience sharing on how to sustain the momentum of the impact of COMITAS Project on the conflict between farmers and herders crisis in the states that SFCG has intervened during the years the project was implemented.
He urged the journalists to bring forward innovative and creative ideas that is capable of mitigating farmers crisis in Taraba and Adamawa states.
The Project Coordinator in Taraba State Mr Dubi Sonam in his welcome remarks said it is high time to continue to use the opportunity provided by SFCG to influence through media professional practices and ethics to bring about transformation of conflict in the society focused by the project
Also, Mr Bryan Weimer, Senior Regional Program Manager West Africa SFCG speaking at the event said SFCG is a peace building organization that places premium on the use of media for the purpose of changing the narratives on conflict in the society.
He commended the participants and charged them to continue to use their platforms to bring about positive change in the communities where farmer-herder conflicts have become persistent and from where they are reporting from.
Dr Agosco Bamaiyi the the District Head of Gewana in Adamawa State at the event harped on the dynamic relationship between farmers and herders, saying that it has been historical, saying both need each other.
The representative of the Taraba State government, Dr Jeji Williams, who is also the Chief of Staff Government House Taraba State; and Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Taraba State, Hon Josiah Sabo Kente, in separate comments at the event said that Taraba State Government would remain committed to the project and would expedite actions on the Peace Commission initiative of the SFCG, assuring that government legislation is the pipeline to ensure an enduring peace in the communities of the state.
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