African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL)
has inaugurated a training manual for religious leaders to promote peace using
social media platforms.
Coordinator of the NGO, Mr Chido Onumah,
while inaugurating a manual at a town
hall meeting on inter-religious and intercultural dialogue in Kaduna last
Monday, said that the manual was specifically developed by AFRICMIL to help
religious leaders and their followers to navigate the social media and promote
peace and religious coexistence in the country.
Onumah said that the manual was designed with support
from Canada Fund for Local Initiative, to among other things, help users
understand the effect of fake news, hate speech, propaganda and online
radicalisation.
He added that it would also help religious leaders to understand the importance
of Media Information Literacy (MIL) in promoting inter-religious and intercultural
dialogue and harmony.
“We equally hope that the manual will
enable them understand the risk and opportunities associated with fake and
inciting news and become responsible and informed consumers and transmitters of
information and opinion,” he said.
Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna State, Rev. Philip
Hayab, noted that dialogue was crucial to ensuring sustainable peace, but
advised that it should be done with sincerity of purpose.
According to him, dialogue will only yield the desired results if those at the
discussion table are sincere and want genuine peace.
Also, Imam Mohammed Isah of Interfaith Mediation Centre, thanked AFRICMIL for
the efforts, saying it would go a long way in sensitising religious leaders on
how to use social media in propagating peace.
Segun Fatuase (with agency reports)
seguntuase@gmail.com
08023092925