From Abel Zwanke, Lafia
Inaugurated against the backdrop of rising insecurity and renewed calls for cohesion in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, the Coalition of Middle Belt Indigenous Journalists (CMBIJ) has installed its newly elected executive leadership, with unity, peace, and the safety of communities emerging as central issues at the ceremony.
The event marked the formal emergence of Mr. Donatus Nadi, publisher of The Eyewitness Newspaper, as Chairman of the coalition, a body comprising indigenous journalists from across the Middle Belt region.
In his inaugural address on Saturday, Nadi stressed the urgent need for unity among the region’s diverse ethnic nationalities, describing cohesion as a necessity rather than a choice.
“The Middle Belt is a mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions,” Nadi said. “Our strength lies in our unity. As journalists, we must lead by example, bridging divides and promoting narratives that bind us together rather than tear us apart.”
The inauguration, attended by journalists, community leaders and representatives of various ethnic groups, went beyond celebration to reflect on the worsening security situation in parts of the region.
Nadi condemned the recent killings in Ashige community of Lafia Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, where armed assailants reportedly attacked residents, leading to loss of lives. He also decried the violence in Bum community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, where clashes have resulted in the deaths of innocent persons and heightened communal tensions.
“These senseless acts of violence are a direct assault on our shared humanity and the peace we strive for,” he said. “We cannot stand idly by while our communities bleed. It is incumbent upon us, as media professionals, to shine a light on these atrocities and demand accountability from those in power.”
Beyond condemnation, the CMBIJ chairman called on political, traditional and community leaders in the Middle Belt to intensify efforts toward peacebuilding and conflict prevention. He advocated inter-ethnic dialogue, community-driven security initiatives and sustained advocacy for federal intervention to address underlying issues such as resource-based conflicts, exclusion and marginalisation.
“Let us galvanise our energies toward building a Middle Belt where every ethnic group thrives in harmony,” Nadi added. “Our role as indigenous journalists is not only to document history, but also to help shape a better future.”
The Coalition of Middle Belt Indigenous Journalists represents media practitioners committed to amplifying issues peculiar to the Middle Belt states, including Benue, Plateau, Adamawa, Kogi, Gombe, Niger, Nasarawa and Taraba, as well as parts of Borno, Bauchi, Kaduna, Kebbi and Kwara states.
Under Nadi’s leadership, the coalition said it would prioritise professional capacity building, the fight against misinformation and advocacy for press freedom in a region often marginalised in national discourse.
Participants at the event expressed confidence in the new executive. A Benue-based journalist, Mr. Terna Aar, said the coalition was positioned to confront regional challenges more effectively.
“With leaders like Nadi, we are poised to tackle the issues head-on, from insecurity to underdevelopment,” he said.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with ethno-religious and communal tensions, the inauguration of the CMBIJ leadership signals a renewed push for journalistic responsibility, regional solidarity and peacebuilding in the Middle Belt.
“Unity is not an option; it is our survival,” Nadi said, as the coalition prepares to navigate the complex political and security realities of the region in the months ahead.
