Maureen Okpe
Media practitioners and Civil Society actors in Nigeria, as part of intensive efforts to prevent violent extremism, have forged a sustainable partnership aimed at strengthening early response mechanisms, improving governance, empowering communities, and ensuring data-driven security measures.
The collaboration was initiated on Monday, in Abuja at the start of the two-day Media Capacity Building, Roundtable Dialogue, and Flag-Off organized by the PCVE Knowledge, Innovation, and Resource Hub (KIRH) with funding and partnership support from Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund,GCEF through ActionAid Nigeria and the Northeast Youth Initiative.
The initiative includes a Knowledge, Innovation, and Resource Hub—a technical resource centre hosting an e-library, commissioned studies, policy briefs, and a media-focused community of practice aimed at amplifying successful interventions.
Chairperson, Development and Management Team PCVE Knowledge, Innovation & Resource Hub (KIRH) & PAVE Network, Mr. Jaye Gaskia described media practitioners as uniquely placed at the intersection of communities, crises, government and stakeholders. He stated that, acting together in collaboration with CSOs can compel early response from relevant authorities.
Gaskia emphasized that while Nigeria has adopted progressive policies in the last ten years, implementation remains the biggest hurdle.
The Chairperson also highlighted border management challenges, noting that “the most effective way to police your borders is actually to enable and empower your communities.”
He asserted that functional local governance and community engagement could transform how border information is processed and utilized.
Gaskia explained the importance of decentralized policing in a country as diverse and populous as Nigeria, saying, “We are overdue for state policing… state police must be citizens’ police not based on indigeneity but on residency.”
He called for federal and national policing legislation that would allow states to form their own forces while abiding by national standards and safeguard mechanisms to federalize misused state policing functions.
Gaskia observed that livelihood interventions often fail because they neglect market dynamics such as training people to bake bread without addressing who will buy it. “Livelihood programs must be ecosystem-based and life‑skills oriented, not dependency creating,” he said.
For her part, Dr Kanayo Ofiong of the Ministry of Information said, “As the fourth estate of the realm, media practitioners must understand their role, engage with communities and help coordinate grassroots efforts to end violent extremism.”
She stressed that collaboration between civil society and media is critical to achieving the shared goal.
Also, Media Consultant, PAVE Network and Editor-In-Chief Global Sentinel, Senator Iroegbu stated that the collaboration is in alignment with the broader network of PCVE.
According to Ireogbu, this is set to consolidate knowledge, foster collaboration and development innovative solutions to violent extremism.
He said, “this is not just a program it is the beginning of a movement to put the media where it belongs, that is at the heart of peacebuilding and national security.”
The national policy on preventing violent extremism is undergoing final review, with outcomes including refined language, objectives, and a clearer role for the media.