Don Charges Frontline Journalists to Give Voices to Victims, Survivors of Insurgency
By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri
A University Don, Professor Abubakar Mu’azu, Coordinator of Good Governance and Human Rights at the Centre for Peace, Diplomatic, and Development Studies (CPDDS), has urged frontline journalists to give more voices to vulnerable people affected by the 15 years violent conflicts in the northeast region.
Professor Mu’azu noted that the insurgency has had a devastating impact on communities in Borno State, with millions of people displaced and many more lost means of their livelihoods.
He was speaking during a one-day training for selected journalists on Transitional Justice organized by the Allamin Foundation for Peace and Development held in Maiduguri on Saturday.
Professor Abubakar Mu’azu, said it is imperative to call on journalists in Borno State to amplify the voices of survivors of the Boko Haram insurgency and promote transitional justice.
He emphasized the crucial role of the media in advocating for survivors’ rights, noting that journalists should report on survivors’ issues with a problem-solving approach, avoiding stigma and danger.
“The media has a responsibility to ensure that the stories of survivors are told. This includes exploring solutions, amplifying survivors’ voices, and promoting a supportive environment. The situation is grave and requires urgent attention from all stakeholders, especially the journalists in the state,”he said.
He opined that, “you have responsibility to ensure their rights are protected, he continued, “By highlighting supportive organizations, policy changes, and stories of resilience, the media can create a positive narrative, emphasizing survivors’ strength and agency rather than vulnerability.”Professor Mu’azu noted.
Also speaking, Hamsatu Allamin, the Executive Director the Allamin Foundation, appealed to journalists to join forces with her organization to promote transitional justice and accountability in Borno State.
“I am elated with what I have seen here, I believe together we can change the narratives and give more voices to the victims and survivors of insurgency. We believe the media has a critical role to play in promoting transitional justice and accountability in Borno State,” she said.
“The Allamin Foundation has been working in Borno State for several years, providing support to survivors of the insurgency and promoting peace and development in the region.”
The training program, supported by UKaid, aimed to equip journalists with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively advocate for survivors’ rights and promote a culture of justice and accountability.
