KADUNA:Forum Brainstorm Over Insecurity,Second Wave Of Covid-19

By Our Reporter

Speakers and Participants at the Monthly Forum of Interfaith Mediation Centre with Journalists on Peace Journalism have brainstormed over the spate of kidnapping, banditry,killings and other forms of insecurity in the state and also warned of the possibility of a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The forum charged the government at the state and Federal levels to secure the lives and property of Nigerians,while calling on the citizenry to continue to observe the laid down Covid-19 safety protocols to help mitigate a second wave of the disease as predicted.

In a communique,at the end of the November meeting signed and issued on Monday by the Co-executive Directors of Interfaith Mediation Centre Kaduna, Pastor Dr. James Movel Wuye & Imam Dr. Muhammad Nurayn Ashafa,the forum, described the Kaduna-Abuja high way as a danger zone, as the kidnappers have being having their field day.

They stressed that government, especially Federal Government must address the problem in order to protect the lives of the passengers that are using the road

The forum said the “brain storming which focus on the over view for the month of November 2020, also observed that the incessant kidnappings during the #ENDSARS protest have reduced significantly, but decried that the menace still continue after the protest.”

It also” lamented that farmers in Northern Nigeria, especially where kidnapping has become rampant, find it difficult to evacuate their Farm products as they have to mobilize members of the vigilance group to assist them.”

Stating further “participants also decried over the skyrocketing of prices of food items in the country.”while calling on government to do the needful

Pointing out ” that as Nigeria is going to enter the second wave of Covid-19, the Media practitioners in the country, have a role to play towards educating and enlightening Nigerians on the need to stick to Covid-19 protocols.

While urging “media practitioners in Nigeria to shun sensationalism while educating and sensitizing Nigeria during the second wave of Covid-19.”

And to avoid mistrust the forum” urged State governments in the country to always inform the media on the correct facts of Covid-19 pandemic, so as to avoid bias during their reportage.”

They called on ” all to prepare for second wave of Covid-19 by way of taking measures to protect their lives.”

Forum also stressed that” there is urgent need by the government to upgrade the Health System in Nigeria taking cognisance of the recent breakout of Covid-19 pandemic in the country.