As Nigeria celebrates her 58th Independence anniversary from the British Empire, the Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the citizens of the country to beware of disruptive and corrosive forces on social media.
He made the statement during his usual independence anniversary to the country; his third since he became President.
President Buhari warned against the abuse of new technologies, saying individuals behind the abuse of social media only wanted to provoke passions and stir tensions.
“Now we have in our hands technology that is a powerful tool that we can and should use for knowledge and understanding. As with other countries, we must also learn how to manage those tendencies that, instead, look to abuse new technologies to provoke passions and stir tensions,” the President said.
President Buhari reiterated that the manipulation of technology to stir dissent in the country is a challenge that Nigeria has never faced as a country. It is therefore pertinent that the country deal with the issue collectively.
“We must all rise to the responsibility of shutting out those disruptive and corrosive forces that hide in today’s world of social media,” he said.
This would not be the first time, President Buhari or members of his cabinet would warn about the misuse if social media and the dangers of fake news.
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The Minister of Communications, Lai Mohammed had toured major media houses in the country to reiterate the position of the administration on the use of social media.
The President however took the opportunity to further his position on the matter, insisting that ignoring facts could undermine the country’s democracy.
“We need critical minds and independent thinking, to question and question until we are satisfied we have the facts. Otherwise, all the progress we have made as a democracy since 1999 is at stake,” he warned.
President Buhari further reiterated in his address that Nigerians needed to understand that there were no short cuts to success.
“Developing a thriving democracy is not an easy task. There can be no quick fixes or shortcuts. These are the most important lessons that we have learnt in our 58 years as an independent nation.”
The President finally promised to ensure free and fair elections in 2019 alongside the full independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“I have committed myself many times to ensure that elections are fully participatory, free and fair and that the Independent National Electoral Commission will be exactly independent and properly staffed and resourced. The ballot box is how we make our choice for the governments that rule in our name.”