Mohammed Ibrahim is my name, a journalist residing in Kaduna State, Nigeria. I obtained my Higher National Diploma in Mass Communication and a Higher Diploma in Journalism. I have been a journalist for over a decade now. I started with the New Nigeria Newspaper before I left to write for other private media organizations operating in the country, as well as serving as a contributor to Peace News Network.
I received several awards which include Courage for investigative Journalism from Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) and also the best Investigative Journalist in Kaduna State North West Nigeria in 2019 from the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
What brought me to peace journalism?
Looking at my background and the environment I came from, and having realized that Nigeria is one of the most populous nations in Africa, I decided to change the manner in which most journalists report issues or conflicts in the country by applying the concept of peace journalism. I completely shifted to peace journalism to see how I can contribute to the peace and stability of my region and country.
I also realized that we have limited journalists who report on peace journalism or solution journalism. So, to me, moving from the normal journalistic way of reporting to either peace journalism or solution journalism helped me to apply the ethics of early warning, early response, and do no harm in my reportage. This is the only way I can contribute to peace-building in my society.
This is because Nigeria, as a nation, has about 250 different ethnic groups, and we always have conflicts and misunderstandings between them that lead to loss of lives and properties. Hence, the need to offer my contribution to promote peace, understanding, and coexistence between these groups located in the country, rather than focusing on stories that create division.
My experience as a peace journalist.
Well, the experience has been positive and exciting because since I ventured into peace journalism, it only brings more happiness to me. Now, I try to focus on stories that will provide solutions to conflicts rather than reporting issues that divide or instigate the people against each other. I try to avoid reports that create tension across the country. It gives me the opportunity to meet people within different tribes and ethnicities working for peace in their various communities.
Therefore, to be honest, the experience has been good but challenging because there are still not many peace journalists in the country.
Who are the mentors who have shaped my career?
Well, there are a few of them whom I see as mentors whose contributions helped shape my career as a practicing journalist, and I respect them a lot. But for those who helped me to become a peace journalist, I will say they are three in number. Jennifer Lazuta, who happened to be the former Editor of formerly IRIN Network now (The Humanitarian), linked me up with the Peace Journalist Network through the pioneer Editor of Peace News Network, Kate Roff.
Kate Roff and Professor Babak, who is the founder of Peace News Network, actually helped a lot by editing and publishing most of my peace news pitches on the platform, and that has encouraged me to keep going on this positive path of journalism.
Then the last but not the least happens to be a close ally and a friend who is closer to me, and we think almost alike. Together we ventured into peace journalism, and that individual is also a journalist who is a correspondent for one of the international media stations, DW radio in Nigeria. His name is Ibrahima Yakubu. All these individuals have in a way or the other impacted positively on my life as a practicing peace journalist. But I will say thank you to the Peace Journalist Network for providing the platform.
My favorite peace news stories
Well, part of my favorite stories on Peace News Network have to do with interfaith and other stories that I know will bring people together through peacebuilding. I always derive pleasure from reporting such stories to the global audience because I want the world to know that such positive news is found in northern Nigeria, contrary to the negative stories people share on social media about the region.
As I said earlier, looking at my environment, I knew the issues, and I knew why we need to promote positive stories and to promote unity among our people despite the diversity that existed in the country.
My dreams and goals
My dream is to see a peaceful Nigeria, peaceful Northern Nigeria, peaceful West Africa, and also to see a peaceful world. This is my dream. I hope to see that in the future, we have so many journalists venturing into peace journalism in Nigeria, particularly in northern Nigeria.
Mohammed Ibrahim
Mohammed is a multimedia freelance journalist in Kaduna State, Nigeria. He graduated from the International Institute of Journalism Abuja. In 2016 Mohammed received the Courage in Journalism Award for his investigative reporting, from the Africa Media Development Foundation.
A very good piece
Without peace, there can not be any meaningful development in any state or Nation