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By Ndahi Marama, Maiduguri 

Borno State Government through the Ministry of Home Affairs, Information and Culture  with support from the European Union, EU, Social Reconciliation and Reintegration, S2R Project, UNDP, UNICEF and International Organisation for Migration, IOM have organized a 2-Day workshop for working Journalists on how to report and sensitize the people accept reintegration and resettlement of repentant Boko Haram/ISWAP into the society.

Recall that, over 80,000 members of repentant terrorists made up of 14,609 Combatants, 20,055 women and 35,029 children who surrendered to troops have been kept at locations including Hajj Camp in Maiduguri, the state capital since last year, 2021.

Declaring the workshop open at Armani Event World Centre in Maiduguri on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Information, Hon Bakura Abba Jato, ably represented by the Permanent Secretary, Barr. Garba Chibok said, the training is necessary in view of the significant roles the media plays in managing conflicts and shaping the society.

“The objective of this orientation workshop is to update the media/ working Journalists on the principles and guidelines of reporting on reintegration of Adults, Women and Children that are victims of insurgency in the state.

“As stakeholders, I urge you to use this opportunity gain adequate knowledge from the training, which will play an enormous role in educating and enlightening the general public on how to live in peace with one another, particularly the repentant Boko Haram members, irrespective of the crimes they committed.” He said.

In his presentation, the UNICEF representative, Mr. Anpuj Achari Panchanan dwell on the ‘Principles and Guidelines for Media Reporting on Children’.

He said, “The media should respect the dignity and rights of every child in every circumstance, pay attention to each child’s right to privacy and confidentiality, to have their opinions heard, participate in decisions affecting them, and to be protected from harm or retribution in conflict reporting. 

“The media should not publish a story or image that might put the child, siblings  or peers at risk, even when their identities are changed, obscured or not used”. He said.

About 26 working Journalists drawn from print and broadcast media Organisations participated in the workshop.