2018 will be a year of robust training for journalists in Lagos State, according to the chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Dr Qasim Akinreti.
One of the agendas set to achieve the target according to him is intention of the union to consolidate on its Memorandum of Understanding with the African Foundation/Projects For Peace and Love Initiative (AFPLI).
The organization is a Nigeria-based United Nations body ready to partner the union to train media practitioners to promote global peace.
While hosting a team of AFPLI led by Dr Titus Oyeyemi, the chief executive officer/ founding president of the body at the union’s secretariat recently, the chairman assured that a committee would be put in place to actualize the pact signed with the organization years ago.
Akinreti regretted that not much had been done in the past to sustain the Lagos NUJ relationship with the organization but promised that, “this time around, we are going to revisit the memorandum and update it in the interest of our members and the AFPLI.
“The Union holds dear to its heart partnership that will bring about progress. In 2018, we are doubling our efforts in that regard. I shall co-opt senior members of the NUJ to work with you and we shall deliver for good” he pledged.
In December 2017, the AFPLI in conjunction with the BudgIT organized a two-day training programme which some select photo-journalists and reporters participated with the support of the union.
Speaking Dr Oyeyemi explained that the AFPLI began its programmes in 2008 with a theme: Cultivating a Mediating Nation Through Media.
He said the foundation is a grassroots proactive peace organization set up with the objective of promoting ethno-religious harmony in Africa.
According to him, the AFPLI carries out its activities through structured education, socio cultural adjustment programmes and indigenous peace building capacities.
Dr Oyeyemi however lamented inadequate media coverage of various events and initiatives the body had organized over the years that had positive impact on several segments of the society.
He expressed readiness to work with the union and Lagos journalists through structured training to further propagate peace in Nigeria.