The Department of Mass Communication, University of Jos in collaboration the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and UNITWIN recently organized a workshop with the theme: Tackling Religious Extremism and Counter Terrorism in Nigeria through Media Information Literacy (MIL) at the Richard Akinjide Law Auditorium, Naraguta Campus, University of Jos.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Sebastian Maimako represented by Dr. Mrs. Norah from the Department of Linguistic and Foreign Languages posited that quality education and the goals of MIL will go a long way in empowering the younger generation.
According to the National Coordinator of MIL, Dr. Suraj Olusunfi Adekunle from the Lagos State University, terrorism will face out when MIL is included in our education curriculum. ‘it is not having so many workshops on terrorism that will stop terrorism and extremism, rather, there should be a mechanism on the ground to counter the activities of extremists’.
Dr. Adekunle who spoke on the topic: The Relevance of Media Information Literacy in Today’s School Curriculum emphasized on the need for schools and higher institutions to include MIL in their curriculum as this will go a long way to help to face out terrorism. ‘Counterterrorism with the necessary knowledge of MIL’, he says.
Also on countering terrorism, Prof. Usman H.D. Danfulani of the Department of Religion and Philosophy, stated that culture and languages are vital tools to counter terrorism. Speaking on the topic: Respecting Culture and Religious Sensibilities of People, he said, ‘once each and everyone begins to see the other as his brother, he cannot attack or even think of killing’.
Prof. Danfulani called of all to use the friendly jokes and casual plays that are common within tribes to sustain mutual love and respect.
On his part, the Librarian of the University of Jos, Dr. Stephen Akintunde, spoke on the need to get people engaged most especially the youths and women. ‘This will go a long way to stop the rise and activities of fundamentalist groups’. He said.
He called on all to use Information Communication Technology (ICT) platforms to improve themselves and to gain wealth and knowledge rather than using it for terrorist or fraudulent activities. ‘Students should use the ICT and get lots of books, journals and materials that will help them to succeed in their studies’ he says.
Dr. Akintunde also called for the empowerment of women. He said that when they are properly engaged in the right way, they will be useful to the society and will help in promoting a peaceful society.
The UNESCO representative at the event, Mrs. Yakchat Nuhu, says that the programme is timely and that the MIL is geared towards the eradication of the activities of extremist and fundamentalist groups in the world.
‘Extremist activities can cause the loss of most of our youths if something is not done. That is why UNESCO is working in partnership with the University of Jos to help and reduce the impact of terrorism in our world’ she says.
The Head of Department, Mass Communication Associate Professor Victor Aluma who welcomed all the participants, applauded the initiative of the Department and UNESCO who saw the need to create awareness concerning the theme of the event in conjunction with media and communication. ‘This is the first of its kinds in the Department’ he said.
The workshop which was anchored by Mr. Darlington Amorighoye had in attendance the following dignitaries, Dr. Sarah Lwahas MIL coordinator UniJos, Dr. Danjuma Nenji, the HoD Mass Communication, PLASU Mrs. Pricilla Marcus, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, the media, staff and students of the Department of Mass Communication.
The vote of thanks was made by Dr. Sarah Lwahas, the MIL Coordinator UniJos who used the opportunity to thank all invited guests and participants. She also thanked the Central Planning Committee led by Dr. Taye Obateru for making the workshop a success.
Photo Credit and Editing: Joseph Gogwim
