By Gambo Abubakar Kaduna
The Country Director of Global Peace Foundation Nigeria, Reverend Joseph Hayab, has described peace journalism as the heartbeat of transformation capable of fostering reconciliation, dialogue, and social healing.
The media holds a moral responsibility to promote narratives that unite rather than division.
The Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) North, stated that during a one day capacity building workshop organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna state,in partnership with the Global Peace Foundation Nigeria.
The workshop With theme: on Peace Reporting for National development which recently held at ministry of information in Kaduna.
Reverend Hayab however, emphasized that “Peace reportage is not about suppressing the truth; it is about presenting it with empathy, balance, and purpose to heal and not to hurt.”
He also Citing with Rwanda’s post-genocide recovery and South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation process, he encouraged Nigerian media houses to invest in training and to collaborate with peacebuilding organisations.
“We are one family under God, and the stories we tell must unite us, not divide us.”
In his Lecture presentation titled “Kaduna Peace Model: From Fear to Hope – The Role of the Media” the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, highlighted the devastating effects of insecurity in Kaduna State between 2015 and 2023, during which the state recorded over 4,800 deaths and thousands of kidnapped.
He further explained that the Kaduna Peace Model—developed in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA)—relies on dialogue, intelligence sharing, inclusion, and socio-economic renewal rather than force.
Maiyaki noted that over 500 kidnapped persons* had been released through negotiations and community mediation efforts.
He further shared examples of former bandits who have embraced peace and now serve as mediators.
He stated: “You cannot bomb peace into existence; you must build it with trust.”
He urged journalists to amplify peace successes instead of fear-driven narratives.
The Guest Lecturer and Head of the Department of Strategic Communications and Media Studies at federal Polytechnic Kaduna, Mrs. Fatimah Shuaibu delivered a lecture titled “Peace Building: Media as a Shield for National Growth.”
She examined Nigeria’s conflict history and emphasized that the nation’s diversity should serve as a source of strength.
She however identified the challenges posed by misinformation and hate speech, especially on social media, and urged journalists to uphold ethical standards, verify information, and consciously promote peace and social cohesion.
Earlier in her addressed the Chairman Correspondents’ Chapel, Hajiya Maryam Suka, expressed apprec
“As reporters, we shape public opinion; let’s choose to shape it toward unity and development.”
She also encouraged participants to adopt conflict-sensitive reporting and use the Kaduna Peace Model as a reference point.
