By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbi
The President of Niger, Brigadier General Abdoulrahmane Tchiani, has inaugurated a 3-day summit for West African journalists who report in Hausa language. The summit, attended by journalists from 11 countries, aims to promote the use of Hausa as an official language in West Africa.
Niger’s Prime Minister, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, represented the President and emphasized the importance of using Hausa to promote culture, peace, harmony, cooperation, security, and economic growth. He urged participants to come up with solutions to enhance regional cooperation and stability.
The summit focuses on “Enhancing Peace, Tranquility, and Collective Working Relationships among West African Countries: A Journalism Perspective.” Journalists are expected to provide suggestions and recommendations on how to promote regional cooperation and stability.
Speakers at the event included Hajiya Maria Sarkin Azabin, president of west African journalists using Hausa language forum from Niamey Republic of Niger, Hajiya Naja’atu Muhammad and Retired Major Hamza Al-Mustapha from Nigeria, among others.
The summit’s objectives include:
– Promoting regional integration and economic cooperation
– Encouraging dialogue and diplomacy
– Enhancing conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms
– Strengthening regional institutions and capacity building
– Fostering people-to-people exchange and cultural cooperation
– Promoting security cooperation and democracy
– Encouraging international partnerships
