The media have been asked to remain the defeaning voice in ensuring that violent extremism is reduced to the baerest minimum in the Society.
Mrs. Funmilayo Oyefusi, Director Organisational Effectiveness, ActionAid Nigeria, made the disclosure at the opening remarks of a 2- Day Media Master Class on Preventing Violent Extremism In Kogi and Nasarawa States, with the theme: Passing The Baton; Co-Creating Sustainable peace through Journalism.
The training is funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and facilitated by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with her state-based partners; Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), Global Peace Development (GPD) and Beacon Youth Initiative (BYI), Kogi and Nasarawa States respectively.
The 2- Day training is in pursuance of the System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE II) project currently being implemented in the two states.
The Director Organisational Effectiveness urged the media to with the capacity training they have received ensure that violence amongst youths in particular is reduced and for them to engage in positive ventures that would reduce violent extremism is made a watchword.
She disclosed also that the training for the Media is aimed at providing Information towards Building capacity of Journalists on understanding conflict sensitive reportage and towards promoting peaceful Journalism.
While noting that the Actionaid capacity building is geared towards providing Information that would ensure that the Journalists are are safe while carrying out their professional duties and to also standout on preventing Violent extremism.
Mrs. Funmilayo Oyefusi, urged the media who have thus far brought their experiences from past training to bear in Preventing Violent Extremism, disclosed that more work still needs to be done, urged Journalists to be equitable, just and fair in their reportage.