NIGERIA. Lagos: The Journalists for Christ International Outreach is partnering with the World Association for Christian Communication (WACC) and the Bread for the World (German Protestant Agency for Diaconia Development) to focus on reporting the issues affecting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Nigeria.
The project ‘Advancing the rights and welfare of IDPs through the media’ is aimed at bringing to the limelight for institutional attention, the rights and welfare issues faced by IDPs in Nigeria.
The one project would run for one year.
About the Project
In a press statement announcing the project and partnership, the President of Journalist for Christ, Lekan Otufodunrin explained that the project will consolidate the work carried out by the organization to showcase the pitiable living conditions of the IDPs.
The project will run from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022.
According to him, the project will provide information on the trend in reportage of IDPs and training for journalists and writers on enhanced reporting of IDP issues.
To this end, he said that a small team of Journalists across the country will be commissioned to write investigative reports on IDPs issues.
Otufodunrin then said that these reports would engender stakeholders’ engagement, and conduct series of media-driven advocacy to advance the welfare of IDPs.
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“Overall, the one-year project is expected to drive positive reportage of IDPs in the media and attract policy change to improve the welfare and rights of IDPs.
“The new project will build up two earlier projects; Monitoring Media Reportage and Portrayal of IDPs in Africa and Managing Internal Displacements in Nigeria supported by WACC and Otto Per Mille ( Weldesian Church), Italy.”
Why the Project
Some states in Nigeria are currently facing security challenges by bandits and terrorists which has led to several people been displaced from their homes.
The displaced persons, according to several reports from NGOs, CSOs and Journalists are currently facing difficult times in terms of living conditions, feeding, schooling amongst others.
“As a media based organization, we are among others, committed to advocating for the communication rights of all citizens, including many who are voiceless.
“Across the country, the population of IDPs is growing and there is a need for more media focus on their plight”, Otufodunrin stated.
