Stakeholders in Sokoto State have called for greater inclusion, responsible journalism and stronger cooperation among government, security agencies, communities and civil society organisations as part of efforts to strengthen peace and prevent conflict.
The call was made on Monday at a one-day event organised by International Alert Nigeria to commemorate the 2026 International Day of Peace at Pinnacle Castle Hotel in Sokoto. The event was supported by the European Union, International Alert, Action Against Hunger and other partners.
The programme, held under the theme “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” brought together representatives of government, traditional institutions, security agencies, journalists, women and youth groups, persons with disabilities and other community stakeholders.
Representing the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Adare, the ministry’s Director of Administration, Haliru Binji, said peace was fundamental to the existence and development of society.
He urged residents to make peaceful coexistence a priority in their homes, schools, workplaces and communities, while identifying insecurity, including kidnapping and banditry, as continuing threats to stability.
The District Head of Gagi also called for respect for citizens regardless of their political, religious, ethnic or regional backgrounds. He said peaceful coexistence required recognition of the rights and dignity of other people.
He highlighted the participation of Christians and Muslims, women, youths and persons with disabilities at the event as an example of how people from different backgrounds could work together toward a common objective.
The traditional ruler also commended the media for its role in promoting messages that encourage unity and peaceful coexistence.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Sokoto State Council, Usman Mohammed Binji, meanwhile, urged journalists to maintain professional and ethical standards, particularly as political activities increase ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He warned that political competition could contribute to tension when accompanied by hate speech, misinformation, ethnic or religious profiling, intimidation and violence.
Binji stressed that critical journalism should not be confused with hate speech, noting that journalists have a responsibility to question government policies, investigate public projects and hold political leaders accountable.
At the same time, he urged journalists to avoid reports that stereotype or dehumanise people, promote collective blame or encourage hostility against groups because of their identity.
He also called for proper verification of information before publication, a clear distinction between facts, allegations and opinions, and the right of reply for affected persons. He cautioned journalists against treating unverified social media content as established fact, particularly as artificial intelligence makes it easier to create convincing fake photographs, videos and audio recordings.
Representing Action Against Hunger, Ayuba Remikat Blessing said the initiative also focused on creating equal opportunities for vulnerable groups, particularly persons living with disabilities, arguing that greater inclusion could support peaceful coexistence.
The spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmed Rufai, urged residents to provide security agencies with useful information to help them tackle crime and maintain peace. He said cooperation between communities and security agencies remained important to efforts to restore stability.
The discussions reflect growing emphasis on conflict-sensitive journalism and inclusive participation as Sokoto and other parts of Nigeria prepare for heightened political activity. Stakeholders at the event stressed that maintaining peace requires cooperation among institutions, communities, the media and citizens rather than relying on any single group.
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