Media Practitioners in Borno Commends ‘Borno Model Of Integration’, Peace Building

Media practitioners in Borno commends ‘Borno model of integration’, peace building

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

The Media practitioners in Borno state has commended Borno state government for adopting Borno Model of integration and Peace building.which is yeilding result in the state

The participants in. 12 point Communique Issued at The End Of a One-Day Workshop on The Role of Journalists in The Re-integration of Repentant Non-state Actors; Held at NUJ, Press Centre, Maiduguri yesterday said .” commend the Borno Model concept and urge journalists to promote the concept for clarity and better understanding among the public. ”

Reading the communique,chairman communique committee, Mr Patrick Mark said ” Journalists play a significant role in social reintegration through increased awareness, influencing public opinion, and setting the general agenda, among other things. As such, they should be included in all public policy initiatives”.

The communique encouraged journalists to always frame their narratives about reintegration from negative to positive outlooks and also highlight success stories and encourage stakeholders’ participation and collaboration.

The participants said ” Journalists play a significant role in social reintegration through increased awareness, influencing public opinion, and setting the general agenda, among other things. As such, they should be included in all public policy initiatives”.

They resolved that the government must address the root causes that lead to radicalization while commending the Borno State government on the few steps taken so far.

They urged non-state actors to engage with and collaborate with members of society rather than isolating themselves and called on the general public not to stigmatize the repentant non-state actors.

The communique called for strengthened collaborations between conventional media and social media influencers, as well as government and private media to increase welfare packages for journalists and provide working tools and safety kits.

The participants urged the government to help the victims of the insurgents as much as it does the repentant non-state actors and government to keep all its promises to the repentant non-state actors.

The participants also noted that the recent resurgence of bombings and planting of IEDs in some parts of the state is condemnable and detrimental to reintegration and peace-building efforts. As such, security agencies and the government should take the matter seriously and prevent such occurrences.