Insecurity: NGO, NUJ Partner To Combat Violent Extremism In Kaduna

A Non-Governmental Organisation, Partnering Against Violent Extremism, has partnered with the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council to combat violent extremism in the state.

The partnership aims to promote peace and prevent violent extremism by leveraging the media’s influence in shaping narratives and amplifying voices of peace in the state and beyond.

The Kaduna State Team Lead of PAVE, Eric John, noted during a courtesy visit to the Kaduna Council of the NUJ on Tuesday that the media plays a critical role in preventing and countering violent extremism.

He noted that violent extremism is not only a security threat, but a societal crisis that thrives on misinformation, division, and despair, adding that the media is capable of shaping narratives, amplifying voices of peace, and holding institutions accountable.

He said, “on behalf of the Kaduna State PAVE Network, I am honored to stand before you today as we deepen our collective resolve to prevent and counter violent extremism in our beloved state.

“The media is the bridge between truth and perception, between community realities and policy responses.

“We need the media to counter hate speech and extremist propaganda, amplify peace narratives and community success stories, educate the public on the root causes of violent extremism, and hold all stakeholders accountable for their commitments to peace and justice.”

According to John, the media can help to counter hate speech and extremist propaganda by promoting factual and balanced reporting.

“The media can help to amplify peace narratives and community success stories, and educate the public on the root causes of violent extremism,” he said.

Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ, Kaduna State Council, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, assured PAVE of the media’s support in the fight against violent extremism in the state.

“This is a good initiative, and I can assure you and your team that as Journalists who are the watchdogs of the society, we will do everything within the purview of the law to partner with you in the fight against violent extremism,” the chairman said.

Alabelewe also noted that the media can play a crucial role in holding all stakeholders accountable for their commitments to peace and justice.

“Though, we are professionals trained to ensure developmental journalism for a healthy society, we still need to work closely with you to access your own in-house training for a better understanding of your operations and directions towards achieving this noble objective. However, our door is always open whenever you readily need our support and services on this matter,” he added.

The Whistler reports partnership between PAVE and NUJ is timely, given the increasing threat of violent extremism in Nigeria.

According to a report by the Counter Extremism Project, Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) were responsible for the death of 272 civilians in the first quarter of 2023.

The report also noted that bandits have overtaken terror groups as the primary violent threat within Nigeria, accounting for 360 deaths in the same period.

The partnership between PAVE and NUJ is a significant step towards promoting peace and preventing violent extremism in Kaduna State.

By working together, the two organisations hope to build a media ecosystem that promotes a culture of peace and tolerance, and empowers the people of Kaduna State to take action against violent extremism.

Insecurity: NGO, NUJ Partner To Combat Violent Extremism In Kaduna is first published on The Whistler Newspaper