CDD Trains Katsina Journalists in Peacebuilding and Conflict Reporting

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) conducted a two‑day training session for journalists in Katsina State, focusing on peacebuilding, ethical reporting, and conflict analysis. The workshop is part of a broader initiative aimed at promoting social cohesion and strengthening community resilience throughout Nigeria’s North‑West region.

The capacity‑building program was organised by CDD in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and Mercy Corps, with financial backing from the European Union. It equipped media practitioners with the skills necessary to report conflicts responsibly and to contribute to sustainable peace.

Under the theme “From Conflict to Cohesion: The Journalists’ Role in Building Peace in Communities,” the training was conducted as part of the Conflict Prevention, Crisis Response and Resilience Project, a joint effort by CDD, IOM, and Mercy Corps.

During a session on conflict analysis, John Dash Lazing, CDD’s Regional Programme Manager, highlighted the importance of responsible journalism and accurate information dissemination for maintaining peace and stability in society.

Lazing urged journalists to adopt ethical and peace‑oriented reporting practices to strengthen social cohesion and to help prevent violent conflicts, especially in fragile communities across Katsina and other states in the region.

He described the media as a “double‑edged sword,” noting that journalists have the power to either promote peace or exacerbate tensions, depending on how they present information.

According to Lazing, a limited understanding of conflict root causes often leads to misinformation, which can deepen divisions and heighten insecurity.

He challenged media practitioners to critically examine conflicts, grasp their underlying causes, and present information in ways that do not inflame emotions or trigger violence.

Lazing said, “Journalists are very key and strategic actors in every fragile environment. They have the power to make peace and build peace, but they also possess the capacity to create conflict. That is why we considered it important to engage them as critical stakeholders in promoting social cohesion.”

“I call on you to critically analyse conflicts, understand the underlying factors, and present information in a manner that promotes understanding rather than division,” he added.

He also encouraged stronger communication and collaboration within the media industry to ensure that news and information disseminated to the public support ongoing peace‑building efforts.

Jean Nahesi Kutumbakana, Head of the IOM Sub‑Office, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that credible information remains a cornerstone of conflict prevention and peaceful coexistence.

He advocated for stronger institutional collaboration among journalists and urged media organisations to work more closely with the Katsina State Ministry of Information and Culture to enhance the credibility and reach of peace messaging.

According to him, such partnerships would help coordinate media programming more effectively and ensure that peace‑building narratives receive adequate attention across different platforms.