By Happiness Ilusota
The Edo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, has urged journalists and media professionals to adopt conflict-sensitive reporting and use the media as a tool for promoting peace, unity, and inclusion across society.
Speaking recently through the ministry’s Director of Media, Daisy Osunde, during the opening of a two-day workshop in Benin City, the Commissioner stressed the need for responsible journalism in strengthening peacebuilding efforts and shaping public opinion positively.
The training, focused on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), and Conflict-Sensitive Reporting for journalists and media practitioners.
According to Abdallah, the media remains a powerful force for social transformation, with the ability to either promote harmony or fuel tensions through the choice of language, headlines, images, and narratives presented to the public.
She commended journalists for their continued contributions toward social cohesion and community development, describing media practitioners as not only reporters but also educators, watchdogs, agenda setters, and partners in national development.
“The stories told by the media can shape society significantly. Reporting must therefore be accurate, balanced, empathetic, and responsible, especially in a time when misinformation and sensationalism can worsen ethnic divisions, violence, and discrimination,” she stated.
The Commissioner noted that women and youths are often the most affected during periods of conflict but remain key drivers of reconciliation, resilience, and peacebuilding within communities.
She highlighted the role of women as mediators, caregivers, and advocates for justice, while also describing young people as energetic leaders whose creativity and potential should be directed toward positive societal development.
Reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to collaboration with the media, she called for increased advocacy against gender-based violence, ethical journalism practices, and balanced reporting on women and youth issues.
Earlier, the National Network Coordinator of West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, Bridget Osakue, explained that the organisation operates across West Africa with a network of peacebuilding practitioners, academics, and civil society actors committed to conflict prevention and peace promotion.
Osakue disclosed that the workshop was organised under WANEP’s Women, Peace and Security initiative, which focuses on strengthening women’s participation in peacebuilding processes.
She added that the organisation also implements programmes on democracy, good governance, electoral violence monitoring, inclusion, and peace education for both in-school and out-of-school youths.
In a goodwill message, the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Anani Okpebholo, represented by Amen Ajayi, described discussions around peace, security, responsible journalism, and youth inclusion as timely and necessary in today’s digital age.
She noted that social media and rapid information sharing have increased the influence of the media in shaping public opinion and societal values, making responsible reporting more important than ever.
Also speaking, the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kassim Afegbua, represented by Rose Imonikhe, assured participants of the ministry’s continued support for programmes that encourage peacebuilding and inclusive governance for women and youths.
During her introductory remarks, WANEP Programme Officer, Mary Nkifan, outlined the objectives of the training, which include improving journalists’ understanding of WPS and YPS frameworks, promoting ethical and gender-sensitive reporting, addressing misinformation and gender-based violence, and increasing the visibility of women and youths as contributors to peacebuilding.
The workshop attracted representatives from the National Association of Women Journalists, government ministries, and media professionals from print, broadcast, online, and digital platforms.