Ado Ekiti—International peacebuilding organization, Search for Common Ground has conducted training for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on conflict sensitivity and hate speech in Ekiti State.
The training which took place in Ado Ekiti, the state capital from April 5th to 7th, 2022, was to ensure CSOs are adequately incorporating conflict-sensitivity and DNH principles within their respective and collective election-related programmes.
According to the organization, the training also aims to make sure CSOs use their platforms and engagement to mitigate hate speech, promote peace, and encourage inclusive, credible, and participatory election processes to further strengthen the engagement of Nigerian civil society in support of credible elections and democratic progress in Nigeria.
In a statement sent to mangrovepen.ng, the organization noted that part of its objectives is to ensure an inclusive electoral process where women, youth, persons with disabilities as well as internally displaced persons have equal access and opportunities to vote and be voted for in a peaceful environment.
The statement reads in part:
“Facilitators strengthened the capacity of the participants by using conflict analysis tools as well as dividers and connectors (systems and institutions) and stakeholders mapping tools to analyze conflict trends, and mitigate hate speech and proffer tailored recommendations.
“Search for Common Ground is implementing the ‘Sustaining Electoral Engagement for Democracy’ (SEED) project in Ekiti and Osun States preparatory to the Governorship Elections in June and July 2022 respectively. The project’s off-cycle states also include Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi and Ondo States.
“Other implementing programmes of the project are training for media stakeholders using the common ground approach, conflict-sensitive reporting, Peer to Peer virtual sessions on hate speech education, radio drama on inclusive electoral processes and hate speech.
“The SEED project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development, Foreign and Commonwealth Office as well as the United States and United Kingdom governments.”
Speaking to newsmen after the training, the Chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Ekiti State, Professor Christopher Kolade, who commended the organization for the training noted that the activity was not only timely but crucial to the success of the forthcoming election governorship elections.