Group tasks media on objective reportage

From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna

Media practitioners have been tasked to be objective and analytical in reporting the present crisis bedeviling the Southern Kaduna region.
This was stated in a communiqué issued after a one-day high level interreligious dialogue meeting held in Kaduna yesterday.
The communiqué stated that media practitioners should douse the tension in southern kaduna via their reportage, not escalating it.
The meeting organized by Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, (IDFP), Kaduna state chapter with support from EC Zaman Tare Project, called for the establishment of community police to help in gathering and sharing of intelligence.
Religious and Traditional leaders according to the communiqué, should be given space to help in solving the conflicts because they have strength within the community.
The communiqué called on the Government to address the issue of indigene/settlers.
“Participants agreed that there is need for establishment of interfaith rapid response team at all levels to avert and also manage conflicts in the state.
“Participants agreed that Government should be seen to be balance in distribution of structures, resources, opportunities irrespective of religious, ethnic and political affiliations.
“Participants called on Nigerians including Governments to look at conflicts objectively devoid of ethno-religious or political interest.