Nigeria: Nigeria ‘Intently Monitoring’ Twitter Following Elon Musk Takeover

The Nigerian authorities mentioned it will not permit any on-line platform to plunge Nigeria into disaster.

The federal authorities says it is not going to permit any social media platform to plunge Nigeria into disaster. It additionally mentioned it’s ‘intently monitoring’ Twitter, following its takeover by billionaire Elon Musk.

The Minister of Data and Tradition, Lai Mohammed, mentioned these on Thursday in Abuja on the third version of the “President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration (PMB) Scorecard 2015-2023” programme.

The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) experiences the PMB Scorecard initiative is organised by the Ministry of Data and Tradition to showcase the achievements of the administration within the final seven years.

The third version featured the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who reeled out the achievements recorded by his ministry.

In his opening remarks, Mr Mohammed mentioned the warning to the social media platforms grew to become crucial due to the spike in faux information and disinformation following the change in possession of a micro-blogging website, Twitter.

“Allow me to shortly deal with a problem that has elicited lots of inquiries from the media in current occasions.

“A lot of your colleagues have referred to as to ask us what is going to develop into of our settlement with Twitter in view of the change in its possession.

“Many have requested for our response following experiences that there was a spike in faux information, disinformation and hate speech for the reason that micro-blogging website modified possession.

“Many have even requested us if one other ban is within the offing.

“Let me say this: We’re intently monitoring the evolving developments at Twitter.

“It has by no means been our intention to ban any social media platform or stifle free speech. Under no circumstances.

“However we may also not sit by and permit any platform by any means to throw our nation into disaster,” he mentioned.

The minister recalled how the federal authorities in June final 12 months suspended the actions of Twitter within the nation for allegedly permitting its platform for use by those that needed to destabilise the nation.

NAN experiences that the suspension was, nonetheless, lifted in January this 12 months after Twitter agreed to manage its posts, pay an relevant tax and set up a authorized entity throughout the nation amongst different circumstances.

“What occurred within the case of Twitter is well-known to all.

“Twitter grew to become a platform of selection for individuals who wish to destabilise Nigeria utilizing faux information, disinformation and hate speech.

“No nation will permit any social media platform to plunge it into anarchy.

” Undoubtedly not Nigeria.

“However we’ve got continued to interact positively with the totally different social media platforms, together with Fb, Google (homeowners of YouTube) and Twitter.

“We’ve no intention of banning any social media platform once more,” he mentioned.

On the scorecard collection, the minister mentioned the aviation ministry had notched up enormous achievements since coming into being.

(NAN)