Non-governmental Organization Trustees Union of Nigeria has kicked against the Federal government’s move to regulate the activities of social media in the country.
This is contained in a statement signed and released by the National president of the Union, Comr. Val Nzekwe. Read details below.
PRESS RELEASE
04/11/2019
NOTUN CONDEMNS GOVERNMENT’S MOVE TO REGULATE SOCIAL MEDIA
Non-Governmental Organization Trustees Union of Nigeria, NOTUN condemns in strong term the move by federal government of Nigeria to regulate the social media, calling it a breach of freedom of expression that every citizen is mearnt to enjoy.
The union which is the mother body of all civil society organizations as well as NGOs in Nigeria is by this release calling on President Muhammedu Buhari’s led administration to rescind its decision as expressed through the minister of Information and culture Alh. Lai Mohammed on regulating the usage of the social media.
Any attempt to do such is a breach to Freedom of expression which is guaranteed by the constitution and there is no law that can be enacted that would oust the provision of the constitution regarding the freedom of expression.
The union will not fold its hands and watch the citizen being muzzled as planned by the federal government, therefore, we advise the authorities to desist from this move that is capable of throwing the country into anarchy as no progressive nation would think of regulating the social media at this age which is sustaining and creating job opportunities for its teeming youth.
We also advice the government to raise campaign on how citizens will identify fake news on social media rather than considering a move for the regulation. Since the viral advent of social media in Nigeria, it is an unarguable fact that it has help to create employment as well as being used by politicians for either national or regional elections to achieving desired result and will be tyrannical and unjust for any administration to think of such act in its reign.
We want to believe that President Muhammedu Buhari has the interest of the people at heart and will not do anything to jeopardise the goodwill he enjoys from the people.
The Non-governmental Organization Trustees Union of Nigeria is an umbrella body of individuals and organization saddle with the responsibilities of harmonizing the activities of NGOs, Civil Society organization and private individuals for good governance advocacy, humanitarian services etc.
Signed:
Comr. Val Nzekwe
National President, NOTUN
