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* TAKES THEM ON PROJECT TRAINING

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has harped on the critical roles journalists can play in promoting Reconciliation, Reintegration and Transitional Justice in Nigeria, particularly in the North East region, where insurgency and counter insurgency operations have occasioned the need for peace building.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu (SAN) stated this in Yola, Adamawa State at a training programme for Media Practitioners on Transitional Justice and Reconciliation in three North East States, namely Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States.

The media training is one of the activities under the Project: Promoting Reconciliation, Reintegration and Transitional Justice in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) States . The objective of the project is to initiate community-led process for non-judicial transitional justice and reconciliation mechanism as a foundation for reintegration and post conflict recovery in the North East. The project is being implemented by the NHRC with the support of the UNDP and European Union.

The Executive secretary was represented at the opening ceremony of the media training by the Project Coordinator, Mr. Hilary Ogbonna. He noted that Chapter 2 of the1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic Nigeria (as amended) recognizes the important role of the media in nation building.

The NHRC Boss recalled that journalists were earlier engaged in Media Advocacy to enlighten communities affected by insurgency including the general public on the beauty of transitional justice. He said the job for the journalists is not over because they have to build confidence in the victims by assuring them that they are not abandoned. “They must also be ready to embrace peace in order to make progress” he added.

Ojukwu SAN further stated that the media remains "an essential partner in promoting reconciliation and transitional justice in the North East. “No effort should be spared in building the capacity of media professionals to embrace and perform this role effectively" the Executive secretary said.

In his opening remarks, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Adamawa State, Samuel Yaumande Esq commended the NHRC for choosing the non-judicial process to address the issue of reconciliation, reintegration and transitional justice in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States. He advocated that the project must be owned and supported by the communities, in order for it to work effectively.

The Adamawa State top Government Official who declared the training open also tasked journalists to be at the Centre of promoting the peace project. He promised that the relevant department of his Ministry would be willing to work together with any partner that supports reconciliation and peace building in the State.

Similarly, in her goodwill message, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Humanitarian Services, Adamawa State, Aishatu Bibi Umar Rilwanu stated that security is one of the major priorities of the State Government. She disclosed that serious efforts are being made by the present administration to ensure that displaced persons are successfully reintegrated into their various communities.

Several papers were presented at the event which was attended by scores of journalists from the BAY States and the FCT.

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