Religion
THE African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has launched a Training Manual for religious leaders to check hate speech and fake news.
Dr Chido Onumah, Coordinator of the centre, launching the manual on Tuesday in Keffi, Nasarawa, noted that religious leaders had roles to play in promoting peace in the age of Social Media.
”The manual will help religious leaders understand the effects of fake news, hate speech, propaganda, online radicalization and the importance of media information literacy in promoting interreligious and intercultural dialogue and harmony.
”Getting religious leaders thoroughly sensitised about the dangers of hate speech and the fake news would reduce violence and hate emanating from misinformation,” he said.
He noted that because of the enormous powers wielded by religious leaders, it was imperative that they should be made to recognise and respond to groups or individuals that used the internet to promote stereotypes, preach religious extremism and violence.
”There is urgent need to use media and information literacy, in this era of information and communication technology and internet revolution, as a tool to change the behaviour of opinion moulders such as religious leaders in the society.
” Therefore, the training manual developed by the centre will help the leaders and their followers to navigate the social media, overcome the challenges and promote peace and coexistence in the country.
” It is our hope that at the end of this programme, religious leaders and their followers will be equipped with the skills that will enable them critically analyse information and news media content,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Mohammed Ali, Nasarawa State Secretary of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) commended the centre for creating the platform for interreligious dialogue in the country, saying that Christians and Muslims lived in peace and harmony in Nasarawa.
Ali, who said that dialogue was the solution to every crisis, advised the adherents of Islam and Christianity to seek in-depth knowledge of their religion to avoid conflicts.
He said that peace was very central to the progress of every nation, adding that nobody would go to heaven with the crisis.
Also contributing, Rev. Ogbonna Akuma, emphasised that the state had never witnessed a crisis of any kind since its creation, urged other states of the federation to emulate a good example in Nasarawa.
He urged leaders at all levels to ensure equal rights and justice to all and sundry irrespective of tribes or religion.
Dr Garba Abari, Director-General (DG) National Orientation Agency (NOA) said religious leaders held secret responsibilities to promote peaceful coexistence in the country.
Represented by Mr David Akoji, Deputy Director, DG’s office, Abari said Nasarawa was a good example of a state that managed interreligious dialogue and promoted peace.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the programme was attended by religious leaders from all the 13 Local Government Areas of the state. (NAN)
– Feb. 09, 2021 @ 14:50 GMT
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