NJII calls for stronger media focus on indigenous peoples’ struggles, aspirations
The Network of Journalists on Indigenous Issues (NJII) has called on Nigerian journalists to give greater attention to the needs, rights and aspirations of indigenous peoples through sustained and responsible reporting.
The call was made in Lagos on Tuesday during a one-day training workshop on effective coverage of indigenous issues, organised by the group for media practitioners.
Speaking at the event, a veteran journalist and former head of the investigation desk at The Punch, Adewale Adeoye said explained that Abuja was created in 1976 through a military decree, displacing more than three million indigenous people whose families had occupied the area for centuries.
He added that indigenous communities across Nigeria continue to face multiple challenges, including cultural erosion, social exclusion and economic deprivation. He noted that journalists have a critical role to play in addressing these issues by amplifying indigenous voices and bringing their concerns to the attention of policymakers.
Adeoye added that the training was designed to help journalists contribute to peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
He stressed that the media serve as a vital bridge between government and indigenous peoples, adding that adequate and informed coverage can help promote inclusion and accountability.
Adeoye urged journalists to pay particular attention to issues such as land dispossession, political marginalisation, threats to cultural identity, and environmental injustice when reporting on indigenous communities.
Also speaking, a facilitator at the workshop and media practitioner, Wale Kasali, said journalists must go beyond surface-level reporting to reflect the lived experiences, struggles and achievements of indigenous peoples.
Kasali encouraged the media to highlight challenges such as pollution, flooding and bio-inequities, while also exposing policies and practices that undermine the health and wellbeing of indigenous communities.
“Journalists should tell indigenous stories from their own perspectives, not merely portraying them as victims, but as key stakeholders in sustainable development,” Kasali said.
Over 30 media practitioners attended the workshop.
