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Reps, minister disagree over plan to regulate social media
The House of Representatives has frowned on the idea of regulating the social media being considered by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
The Chairman, House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Odebunmi Olusegun and a member of the House, Emmanuel Oghene, said any clampdown on the social media could be counterproductive.
They gave the warning when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, appeared before the committed for the 2021 budget defence.
The minister, while responding to questions from members of the committee, had said the next war to be fought in the country would be against the social media, in a veiled reference to the outcome of #EndSARS protests.
He stressed the need to have a policy to regulate the social media and check fake news and misinformation.
Odebunmi, however, warned against controlling the use of the social media and urged the Federal Government to rather search for the technology to work with what was currently being used in the social media world.
“Social media has come to stay. What the government should do is to look for technology that will work together with what is in the space.”
Oghene also said it was wrong to always look at the negative sides of social media at all times without mentioning the good side.
He said it was social media that called the attention of government to looting of COVID-19 items in some places, adding that there was a time some boys were digging the road but got caught because the social media captured it.
Oghene said, “I want to appeal that we should not overdo it because it will harm us. China is not a good example because it is a communist country. Nigeria has always been free, we are a democratic country.
“Let us look at other democracies and see what they have done with their social media. This technology is already here. It is not going to go away.
“We should have enough laws in our law books to deal with social media. If people post things that are not correct, they can be taken to court.
“If the laws are not enough, bring a bill and the National Assembly will pass it into law. If you shut down the social media, democracy will be greatly hampered.”
The minister had earlier said, “We are sitting on a time bomb on this issue of fake news. Unfortunately, we have no national policy on social media and we need one.
“When we went to China, we could not get Google, Facebook, and Instagram. You could not even use your email in China because they made sure it is censored and well regulated.”
He added that the nation would need a technology and resources through a media policy to dominate its social media.
The minister said, “The recent #EndSARS war was fought on social media. They mobilised using social media. The war today revolves around two things. Smartphones and data and these young men don’t even watch television or listen to the radio or read newspapers.
“You will be shocked that when you start arguing with your children, they will be quoting the social media. So, we need a social media policy in Nigeria and we need to empower the various agencies and we need the technology to be able to regulate the social media.”
News
UCL: Arsenal ease into last eight as PSG humiliate Chelsea, Madrid dump Man City
UCL: Arsenal ease into last eight as PSG humiliate Chelsea, Madrid dump Man City
Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a composed 2-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in Tuesday’s round of 16 second-leg clash.
Mikel Arteta’s side, widely tipped among this season’s contenders, delivered a disciplined performance, with Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice finding the net to seal progression.
After an evenly contested opening, Eze broke the deadlock just before halftime, rifling a superb half-volley into the top corner to hand the hosts the advantage. Rice then put the tie beyond doubt in the 64th minute, finishing calmly from the edge of the box for his first goal of the campaign in Europe.
The victory saw Arsenal overcome a German opponent in European competition for the first time in six attempts, while also securing a third consecutive quarter-final appearance.
They will next face Sporting CP, who staged a remarkable comeback to overturn a first-leg deficit against Bodo/Glimt with a 5-0 rout in Lisbon.
At Stamford Bridge, Paris Saint-Germain delivered a ruthless display, thrashing Chelsea 3-0 to complete an emphatic 8-2 aggregate victory. Goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bradley Barcola and Senny Mayulu underlined PSG’s dominance.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid continued their European pedigree with a 2-1 win over 10-man Manchester City, sealing a comprehensive 5-1 aggregate triumph. It marks the second straight season the Spanish giants have eliminated City from the competition.
Results:
Arsenal 2-0 Bayer Leverkusen (Arsenal advance 3-1 on aggregate)
Chelsea 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain (PSG advance 8-2 on aggregate)
Sporting Lisbon 5-0 Bodo/Glimt (Sporting advance 5-3 on aggregate)
Manchester City 1-2 Real Madrid (Real Madrid advance 5-1 on aggregate)
News
Obasanjo, Jonathan, Shettima witness Soludo’s second-term inauguration
Obasanjo, Jonathan, and Shettima Witness Soludo’s Second-Term Inauguration
AWKA – Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has officially commenced his second term as the Governor of Anambra State following a high-profile swearing-in ceremony at Dr. Alex Ekwueme Square.
The event, which drew a diverse crowd of local and international dignitaries, reached its peak at 11:50 am when Soludo took the oath of allegiance. Accompanied by his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Nonye Soludo, the Governor signed the official documents before the State Chief Judge at 11:55 am, signaling the formal start of an administration set to run until 2026.
A Gathering of Giants
The inauguration was a “who’s who” of Nigerian leadership and tradition. Among the prominent figures in attendance were:
* Federal Representation: Vice President Kashim Shettima.
* Former Heads of State: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
* Diplomatic & Traditional Leaders: Former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
With the formalities concluded, Soludo enters his final four-year stretch, carrying the mandate of the Anambra people through to 2030.
News
“No Place to Hide”: Tinubu dispatches security chiefs to Maiduguri after deadly blasts
“No Place to Hide”: Tinubu dispatches security chiefs to Maiduguri after deadly blasts
ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu has ordered Nigeria’s top security chiefs to immediately relocate to Maiduguri, Borno State, following a series of devastating bomb blasts that claimed at least 23 lives.
The President characterized the attacks as “desperate and frantic” acts of terror, staged by criminals reeling from the sustained pressure of military operations.
In a stern warning issued on Tuesday, Tinubu declared that there is “no place in Nigeria where terrorists will find safety,” promising that the perpetrators will be tracked, confronted, and “completely defeated.”
Immediate Federal Response
The Presidency has outlined a multi-pronged strategy to stabilize the region and support the victims:
* Command Shift: Security chiefs are now required to take direct charge of operations on the ground in Maiduguri.
* Medical Emergency: Emergency management agencies have been mandated to provide comprehensive care for the injured.
* Reinforcements: The President highlighted recent approvals for additional military equipment and operational support to bolster troop capabilities.
Honouring the Frontline
Despite the tragedy, President Tinubu praised the “courage and fighting spirit” of Nigerian troops, who successfully repelled coordinated attacks on military positions within the state. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to intensifying efforts against criminal elements nationwide, ensuring that security forces remain equipped to dismantle terror networks.
“We will continue to intensify our efforts against all criminal elements, wherever they may be.” — President Bola Tinubu
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