By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Country Director of the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), Rev. Joseph John Hayab, has described Peace Journalism as the heartbeat of national transformation, capable of fostering reconciliation, dialogue, and social healing.
Speaking at a one-day workshop on Peace Reporting for National Development organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, in partnership with GPFN and the Kaduna State Ministry of Information, Rev. Hayab emphasized that journalists have a moral responsibility to promote unity through their narratives.
“Peace reportage is not about suppressing the truth; it is about presenting it with empathy, balance, and purpose—to heal, not to hurt,” he said.
Citing global examples such as Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery and South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation process, Hayab urged Nigerian media houses to invest in peace journalism training and strengthen collaborations with peace-building organizations.
“We are one family under God, and the stories we tell must unite us, not divide us,” he added.
Delivering a presentation titled “Kaduna Peace Model: From Fear to Hope – The Role of the Media,” the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, outlined the devastating effects of insecurity between 2015 and 2023, during which the state recorded more than 4,800 deaths and thousands of kidnappings.
He explained that the Kaduna Peace Model, developed in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), prioritizes dialogue, inclusion, and socio-economic renewal over confrontation.
“You cannot bomb peace into existence; you must build it with trust,” Maiyaki stated, noting that over 500 kidnapped persons have been released through negotiations and community mediation efforts.
Maiyaki also shared success stories of former bandits who have now become peace mediators, helping to sustain stability in affected communities. He called on journalists to focus on solution-driven stories that highlight peace-building efforts rather than fear-based narratives.
In her goodwill message, the Chairperson of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Hajiya Maryam Suka, commended the organizers and reaffirmed the vital role of journalists in shaping public opinion.
“As reporters, we influence perception—let’s choose to shape it toward unity and development,” she said, urging media practitioners to embrace conflict-sensitive reporting using the Kaduna Peace Model as a guide.
The Guest Lecturer, Mrs. Fatimah Shuaibu, Head of the Department of Strategic Communication and Media Studies at Kaduna Polytechnic, presented a paper titled “Peace Building: Media as a Shield for National Growth.” She emphasized that Nigeria’s diversity should be viewed as a strength rather than a source of division.
Mrs. Shuaibu cautioned against the dangers of misinformation and hate speech, particularly on social media, and called on journalists to verify facts, maintain ethical standards, and consciously promote peace and social cohesion.
The workshop, attended by representatives of 30 media organizations, communication scholars, peace-building experts, and civil society representatives, ended with a renewed commitment to using the media as a tool for peace, unity, and national transformation.
