Channels Television and the PeaceTech Lab of the U.S. Institute of Peace have signed an agreement to pursue joint initiatives using media in combination with data and technology to foster long-term peace and prosperity in northern Nigeria and the surrounding region.
The agreement’s implementation will begin immediately with the joint development of Nigeria’s first, independent Hausa-language television news network to serve northern Nigeria.
After the agreement was signed, the CEO of PeaceTech Lab, Sheldon Himelfarb, said both organisations believed “media could prompt and accelerate peace building in an environment of intensified terrorist activity carried out by extremists who threaten Nigeria’s political stability and social compact with the Nigerian people”.
“The Lab welcomes Channels as a partner in our expanding media practice,” Himelfarb said.
Expressing his delight with the agreement, the founder and CEO of Channels TV, Mr John Momoh, said: “Channels is very pleased to be associated with the PeaceTech Lab.
“We value its commitment and sophisticated approach to conflict resolution. We also welcome its development support as we seek to make our new Hausa service a sustainable business”.
The PeaceTech Lab (www.peacetechlab.org), created by the U.S. Institute of Peace, is a non-profit organisation working at the intersection of data, technology, and media to help reduce violent conflict around the world.
It is the first of its kind to bring together engineers and activists, MBAs and conflict experts, social scientists and data scientists to develop new ways of amplifying the power of media, tech and data to both save lives and invite private sector investment.