Local radio plays an important role in building peace throughout Nigeria. Conflicts between farmers and herders is a longstanding problem in Nigeria, which is linked to tribal and religious differences. In many areas, this polarization has created divisions in society, which leads to stereotyping, ethnic profiling, and societal divisions. Peace News Network spoke to people living in communities experiencing conflict, to hear how radio programs have helped to build peace, bridge divides between religions and ethnic groups, and promote a more inclusive society.
Some communities in the Kajuru and Chikun Local Government Areas (LGAs) have experienced violent attacks between herders and farmers. The herders are usually from the Fulani tribe, while the farmers are people from other tribes within the communities.
Such conflicts led to loss of lives and property, so a radio program was aired on Liberty Radio that brought the farmers and herders together to discuss their grievances, challenges, and how they could be addressed.Since the program was aired, there has been a new level of understanding between the herders and farmers.
Benjamin Maigari, a community leader in Kufana chiefdom under the Kajuru LGA, spoke to Peace News Network about his experience, and how his contribution to the radio program assisted in changing the mindset of his people about ethnic profiling.
He said, “I also called in and made a comment, and after the program, I received more than 50 phone calls because in that radio program, I made our people understand that any tribe member can be a criminal, not necessarily a particular tribe. If we need to address the issue, we must stop profiling tribes. So after I made these comments, many people from our communities called me to say they never thought ethnic profiling was wrong because they always profile a particular tribe as criminals.
“The comment I made that banditry was not a tribe and that anybody can be a bandit, because whether we liked it or not, when there was a banditry attack in a community, the first thing that comes to our mind is a particular tribe behind it, and we always conclude it to be the Fulani tribe. This has been the norm in the minds of the people from these communities.”
Benjamin said the radio program aired between the herders (who are the majority Fulani) and the farmers helped to highlight the many Fulani men who had been living with them for decades as peaceful people. According to some community members, they had seen Fulanis as aiding their attackers, but now they all understand that it was not always the case.
“So we should tell ourselves the truth and put ourselves together irrespective of our tribes in our communities to join hands to address the issue. The radio program has really promoted peaceful coexistence and understanding in our communities, and this is the personal experience I got as a person.”
He called for more of such radio programs to be aired and suggested they not only invite religious leaders, but also tribal leaders, especially those who have caused divisions in communities. He advised that ordinary tribal men in the villages, as well as youth, women, and persons with disabilities, should be encouraged to participate in radio programs to create more bonds between them and help to build peace in society.
Another resident of Unguwar Gimbiya Community in Kaduna spoke to PNN about how local radio has helped to change her views and promote interfaith peace. Grace James, said she used to isolate herself from people of different religions,until she heard a radio program where Pastor Yohana Buru, a Christian scholar and activist, explained the need for people of different faiths to coexist and live in peace.
She said since she listened to the radio program, she had a changed mind and now respects people of different faiths from hers.”I now respect everybody, including those without religion, thanks to the radio program as I now respect people I come across on the street,” she told Peace News Network. She explained that such radio programs further exposed her to know that God created people differently to live peacefully.
In conclusion, radio remains a powerful tool for promoting peace and stability, particularly in regions marred by conflict and unrest. Through innovative programing and community engagement, radio stations can continue to drive positive change and contribute to building more peaceful and inclusive societies.
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.
