By Raymond Enoch
In a bid to bridge the divide among farmers and herders, create confidence for an enduring peace in Adamawa and Taraba states, the Search for Common Ground (SFCG), an International NGO has held a two-day retreat for journalists.
The media retreat, which held in Abuja on the 5th-6th December 2024 drew participation from government functionaries and heads of Media institutions from the two states.
The event aimed at mitigating of conflicts over natural resources between farmer and herder communities in Adamawa and Taraba States (COMITASII) Project, targets bringing about lasting solutions to the protracted farmer/herder conflicts in Taraba and Adamawa states is funded by the European Union (EU).
In his presentation at the event, the Project Manager SFCG Adamawa and Taraba, Mr Gambo Wada explained that the media retreat is to create an avenue for exchange of knowledge and experience sharing on how to sustain the momentum of the impact of COMITAS Project on the conflict between farmers and herders’ crisis in the states that SFCG has intervened during the years the project was implemented.
He enjoined journalist to bring forward innovative and creative ideas that is capable of mitigating farmers crisis in Taraba and Adamawa states.
On his part, the Project Coordinator in Taraba State Mr Dubi Sonam in his welcome remarks said that it is high time to continue to use the opportunity provided by SFCG to influence through media professional practices and ethics peace narratives so as to bring about transformation of conflict in the society focused by the project.
Equally, Mr Bryan Weimer, Senior Regional Program Manager West Africa emphasized that SFCG is a peace building organization that places premium on the use of media for the purpose of changing the narratives on conflict in the society.
He commended the participants and charged them to continue to use their platforms to bring about positive changes in the communities where farmer-herder conflicts have become persistent.
Prof John Ngamsa Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy to Adamawa State Governor in his remarks at the retreat said, bringing journalist together by SFCG to continue the business of conflict transformation is the most portent thing to do adding that the media needs to be equipped with all that they need to bring about lasting peace in the society.
Ngamsa advanced the principle of peace journalism as a recipe to providing an enduring solutions to Conflict witnessed in the society today.
Dr Agosco Bamaiyi, the District Head of Gewana in Adamawa Stats harped on the dynamic relationship between farmers and herders, saying that it has been historical.
According to him, “both need each other”.
He emphasized the urgency to use traditional mediation methods in resolving conflicts between farmers and herders.
The representative of the Taraba State government, Dr Jeji Williams, who is also the Chief of Staff Government House Taraba State; as well as the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Taraba State, Hon Josiah Sabo Kente, in separate comments at the event maintained that Taraba State Government remains committed to the project and would expedite actions on the Peace Commission initiative of the SFCG, saying that government legislation is underway to ensure an enduring peace in the communities of the state.
The retreat afforded journalist from Taraba and Adamawa states to exchange and share experiences, develop common agenda for effective reportage and agenda setting on Farmer Herder Conflict reporting.
The media retreat ended with a call on Journalist from both states to continue to use “Do No Harm principles and conflict sensitive” style of reportage to shape the way people deal with conflict, from the adversarial to a more collaborative approach.
Highlights of the retreat was the plenary engagement, syndicate groups discussion’s and paper presentations from Prof Ibrahim Valhalla, The District Head of Gewana, Chief Dr Agoso H Bamaiyi and Prof John Ngamsa who advanced tenets of peace journalism and collaborative effort in transforming conflicts, giving attention to the cross cutting issues in the two states, and providing solutions for action.
The Retreat also had in attendance the Search for Common Ground ( SFCG) trained Fellows whose skills and knowledge is expected to sustain the momentum of the project intervention even after 2024.