2019 polls: Peace institute, German embassy to train journalists

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) says it is partnering the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Nigeria to train journalists on peace journalism in the monitoring and coverage of 2019 general elections.

IPCR Director General, Professor Oshita O. Oshita said the partnership also includes training of electoral officials and others handling various aspects of the election processes on election conflict management.

Oshita stated this when the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Bernhard Schlagheck visited him in Abuja on Wednesday.

Oshita and the envoy exchanged views on possible areas of collaboration to enhance peacebuilding and effective mitigation of dysfunctional conflicts in the country.

He said the institute was already putting up election conflict management programme and countrywide peace campaigns and sensitization as part of efforts to ensure peaceful polls.

According to him, the institute set up early warning mechanism across the country for timely gathering and analysis of data to boost proactive responses of security operatives.

Earlier, German Ambassador, Schlagheck pledged collaboration for peacebuilding and other interventions to mitigate conflicts in the country.

He also expressed concern over the spread of dysfunctional conflicts in the country pointing out the willingness to support all conflict management activities especially as they relate to the 2019 general elections. the