From Olarenwaju Timothy, Maiduguri
Journalists have resolved to acquaint themselves with development plans of government and non-governmental organisations as the people grabble with restoration of life in post-conflict era.
The journalists, at a two-day review forum organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), state council, in Maiduguri observed that government and international humanitarian community have moved away from aids and food distributions to displaced victims of insurgency.
They are now into building of capacity through skill acquisition, resilience, resettlement and rebuilding programmes for the internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
Guest speaker, Prof. Danjuma Gambo, Department of Mass Communications, University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), said: “These are indices and indications that the state and indeed northeast, have moved from conflict to post-conflict era.”
In his presentation titled, “Rebranding NUJ: The Ideal and Reality”, he asked journalists working in the three affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa, to study development plans documents of governments and UN humanitarian agencies for post-conflict reportage of the area:
“Incessant bomb explosions, sporadic shootings and attacks have gradually thinned down in their number of occurrence. Reporters should now focus less on casualty figures but move to survival issues, human activities and authorities responses not to endanger the peace building process of the post-conflict era.
“Journalism is a profession and practitioners ought to be intellectuals. How can someone who doesn’t have the intellectual capacity to digest policy documents and developmental plans report issues appropriately?
“Journalists should elect leadership with required intellect and capacity to develop training opportunities, engage employers of journalists on issues of wages welfare of members and not pursuing material benefits from government. Act now and don’t leave here without resolve to take action.”
NUJ state chairman, Dauda Illiya, said: “The theme of the forum:
‘Promoting the Safety of Journalists in the Post-Conflict Era,’ is timely following the complex environment journalists in the state work.
“Reporting insecurity and attacks make journalists be at risk always.
We should take personal safety seriously especial as we report political activities in a post-conflict environment with its complexities.”
Participants said the review helped in reminding them of safety issues especially in electioneering period and post-conflict era. Malam Yakubu Uba said: “The review forum is strategic at this moment.”