| Abstract: |
Nigeria today is fraught with diverse security challenges that hamper peace in the country. From the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East, the agitations for Biafra in the South-East, to bandits and kidnappers across the nation, the country is constantly filled with tension and violence. Tension and violence are also ignited or exacerbated by the incendiary rhetoric of individuals and groups in public. Anchored on the Theory of Change for Peace Building, this paper adopts an interpretive approach and relies on secondary data. It explains what conflict-sensitive communication means and makes a case for its use to ratchet down the national temperature and promote peace. The paper also provides guidelines for the utilisation of conflict-sensitive communication by citizens and journalists, and recommends their training to be able to do this. It further recommends a sincere practice of faith by Nigerians to inculcate in them the love for and pursuit of peace through conflict-sensitive communication. Moreover, it calls for the government to stop its acts of repression, demonstrate political will for peace and enthrone justice/fairplay for all citizens for these efforts to bear lasting fruit. |
