By Nnenna Okonkwo
African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has organized a one-day workshop to commemorate 2022, Global UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) week.
The event, which was held in Abuja October 10, was themed ‘Promoting Social Cohesion and Solidarity through Media and Information Literacy and Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue’.
The Coordinator of the Centre, Dr. Chido Onumah, who was represented by the Programme Manager, Kola Ogunbiyi, said that the event was meant to promote peace which he described as one of the most precious gifts that makes a society to thrive
In his words, “To live in peace is to live in harmony and unity because where there is unity of purpose, there is strength in action.”
He noted that it was unfortunate that factors like inadequate information and the lack of proper communication about the diverse cultures, religions, and individual rights have become a major challenge in the quest for progress as a nation.
He also said that “this is the time to start the process of giving citizens, especially youths, a voice not only to hold leaders accountable irrespective of religion or ethnicity but also to advocate harmonious co-existence of the people of Nigeria.”
The Director of Research and Institutional Strengthening, African Polling Institute (API), Dr. Olugbenga Ogunmefun, who was one the resource persons spoke on social cohesion and described it as a “partnership between groups of people that come together to form a society”.
He buttressed this point by stating that “there is no family that are divided against each other that can prosper.
“If we are not socially cohesive, there is no way we can thrive in peace and unity”. He stressed the need to be educated about any information before sharing as most Nigerians are not careful about the country’s diversity and the place of MIL.
Paul Odenyi, Assistant Director at the National Orientation Agency (NOA), emphasized the need for peace, saying “if we do not have peace, we cannot do a lot of progress”.
He listed the functions of NOA and methodologies used by the NOA to promote social cohesion which included media engagements, town hall meetings, interface dialogue amongst others. He mentioned that NOA plans to train 37,000 Nigerians on fact checking and verification of information.
Doyin Ojosipe, Senior Program Officer, (Media and Advocacy) AFRICMIL, spoke from the gender perspective as she highlighted the rights of women.
She urged participants to use their platforms to canvass for policies that will empower women, include them in governance and also change the negative narrative people have about women.
Godwin Onyeacholem, Senior Programs Officer, AFRICMIL in a vote of thanks appreciated everyone for their time and encouraged them to be socially cohesive as it would help in building peace and unity.
