Insecurity: FG tasks NIPR on curbing fake news
The Federal Government has tasked the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) to tackle fake news and misinformation, as these have exacerbated the insecurity situation in the Nigeria.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, who represented President Muhammad Buhari gave the charge during his speech on Tuesday at a summit organised by NIPR, titled “Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security”.
He noted that fake news and misinformation endanger the peace, security and development of any nation.
“I want to most sincerely commend the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), of which I am a proud Fellow, for organizing this event: Citizens Summit for National Integration, Peace and Security. As a key stakeholder in the Nigerian project, I see this as NIPR’s contribution to the discourse on national unity, and also a most practical and positive contribution to the pressing challenges of peace and security in our country,” Mohammed said.
“In recent times, in particular, the issues of peace and security have been on the lips of many Nigerians, against the backdrop of rampaging terrorists, bandits and kidnappers.
“This crisis of insecurity has, unfortunately, been exacerbated by the twin evil of fake news and misinformation.
“I want to use this important platform to commend our gallant men and women in uniform, and to appeal to all our compatriots to continue to support them in their onerous task of keeping our country safe.
Others who spoke at the ongoing NIPR Summit charged Nigerians to continue to assist the military, in its efforts at curbing terrorism and banditry in the country.
They noted that keeping the country safe is everybody’s business as the perpetrators are humans and not spirits.
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam Musa Bello, in a welcome speech, noted that no matter how daunting the challenges may seem, they are not insurmountable adding that Nigerians just need to identify the factors leading to them and work towards solving them which the dialogue is already taking care of.
On his part, the National President of NIPR Mallam Mukhtar Sirajo agreed that thoughNigerians are not happy with the situation in the country, they do not want the country to fail hence the dire need for dialogue that would lead to effective communication, national integration and cohesion.
For the country to move forward, we must change the paradigm on how we engage the citizens and the techniques of dialogue.
“Government must learn the modern art of citizens engagement and the people must on the other hand appreciate the fact that the task of nation building is a collective responsibility in which the citizens too, have a great role to play,” Surajo said.
The chairman on the occasion, Dr. Mrs. Ajoritsedere Awosika also agreed that the summit will assist in no small measures in reducing political and economic imperialism as a country is as strong as its citizens.
She said Nigeria is at a crossroads and that the enemies of political and economic imperialism still lurk within the nation.
“Sadly, rather than working together to eliminate these “cancers”, we have situations of coercion not through conquest, but via economic sanctions, trade wars, inequity as well as political stand-offs that have pervaded the stratosphere of most Nations”, she added.
The Summit continues with series of lectures and activities including the investiture of fellows on some members.
