Don tasks media on early warning signals to avert conflict

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By Steve Oko

Media practitioners in the country have been tasked to help provide early warning signals that could help stave off conflicts and reduce insecurity in Nigeria.

The Head, Department of English and Communications Studies, Federal University Otuoke, Dr. Christian Diri threw the challenge while delivering a public lecture by the Association of Communications Scholars & Professionals of Nigeria, ASCPN at the Abia State Polytechnic Aba.

Dr. Diri who spoke on the theme:”The Role of the Media, Government and Youths in Conflict Resolution”, urged media practitioners to live up to their responsibility as watch dog of society.

Vice President, South East, Dr Mrs Nsude

Abia State Chairman of ACSPN, Dr Uwaoma Uche

He noted that some conflicts could actually be averted through responsible proactive media reportage.

Diri said that the media, through responsible reportage, could dissuade people from taking up arms against government, adding that the media act as a bridge between the people and government.

Abia State Secretary of ACSPN, Steve Oko

He urged the media, government and youths as critical stakeholders in conflict resolution to give more attention on measures that could rather help avoid conflicts.

The don regretted that instead of dealing with the root causes of the recent nation wide protests against police brutality otherwise tagged”#EndSARS, government was rather dissipating energy on arresting leaders of the protests.

He argued that government would have achieved more in analysing the causes of the protests with a view to addressing the genuine reasons for the agitation than victimising the presumed promoters.

Diri recommend that media practitioners should be given free hand and guaranteed a condusive environment to operate.

He also advocated the introduction of Conflict Resolution Studies in the school curriculum to help sensitise the youths on conflict management and prevention.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the host and Chairman of ACSPN, Abia State chapter, Dr. Uwaoma Uche, said the Empowerment lecture was aimed at educating participants on the crucial role of the critical stakeholders in conflict resolution and management.

He said that the state chapter of the association was poised to pursue those goals that would help make the state a better society for all.

The Associate Professor urged media practitioners, the Youth as well as government to rise to their responsibilities for the good of all.

In an address, the National President of ACSPN and the Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Gombe, Professor Umaru Pate, said the theme of the lecture was apt in view of the rising insecurity in the country.

Professor Pate who was represented by the National Vice President of the association, South East, Dr. Ifeyinwa Nsude, said that ACSPN was floated to bring together all major stakeholders in the media industry with a view to synthesising the gains of media practice and management.

He appluded the Abia State chapter of the association for hitting the ground running shortly after inauguration in November 2020.

Rector, Abia Poly, Dr. Okorie Osonwa, described the media as a very critical tool for national development.

The colourful event drew participants from Federal University Abakaliki, Ebonyi State University, Abia State University as well as representatives of Nigeria Institute of Public Relations, Journalists and Mass Communication students in the state.

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Steve Oko, Publisher/C.E.O, WaWa News Global. For more information on advert placement and news coverage, contact us on: 08038725600, or via email stevemanofgod2000@yahoo.com; wawanewsglobal@gmail.com Always read WaWa News Global - Your most dependable online news platform for the latest breaking news in Nigeria.