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Misinformation, fake news damaging as terrorist acts – Minister
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, says that misinformation and fake news can be as damaging as the terrorist acts.
Idris said this at a two-day workshop on “Effective Reporting: Towards Strengthening Alternatives to Terrorist Ideology” organised by the National Counter-Terrorism Centre – Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC-ONSA), on Tuesday in Abuja.
The training was organised in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR).
The minister said that the media commanded an immense power to influence minds, shape narratives, and promote peace.
He added that the media could either undermine or bolster the collective efforts to provide alternatives to extremist ideologies in the fight against terrorism.
He said that journalists have the unique ability to educate, inform, and inspire resilience among the public through their reports, images, and commentaries.
According to him, terrorism is not merely a physical threat; it is an ideological battle of the mind with the extremist groups exploiting vulnerabilities and spreading fear.
He added that the extremist groups also propagate messages that presented them as fighting for a social cause, in order to further their evil agenda.
Idris said there was the need to offer compelling, positive alternatives that resonated with the same audiences targeted by terrorists, adding that reporting played a pivotal role in this.
He urged the Defence Correspondents/Reporters to work closely with security experts, sociologists, psychologists, and community leaders to provide a multi-faceted perspective on terrorism and its alternatives.
He also challenged journalists to use data and research to back their stories, thereby enhancing credibility and depth.
“At all times, the media should uphold the ethics of journalism by being objective and fair and guard against sensationalism.
“You must also respect the dignity of victims and affected communities and void language that could be construed as biased or inflammatory.
“Please note that sensational reporting can inadvertently glorify terrorist acts and spread fear.
“Similarly, misinformation and fake news can be as damaging as the terrorist acts themselves and you must avoid this at all cost,” he said.
The minister commended the NCTC-ONSA for its proactive efforts in the fight against terrorism as well as the numerous successful rescue operations of kidnap victims, which he said were devoid of publicity.
He also commended the NCTC for its sustained strategy of regular engagement with the media, in advancing the frontiers of the fight against terrorism.
This approach, according to him, significantly contributed to shaping public perception and understanding of the complex issues surrounding terrorism and national security.
Idris reiterated the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to free and responsible journalism and pledged continuous support through access to accurate information, regular media briefings, and training opportunities.
“Together, we can create a strong, united front against terrorism,” he added.
The Secretary, Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Mr Ochiaka Ugwu, commended the centre for the engagement, saying the media had remained committed to the promotion of national security.
Ugwu said the ungoverned spaces in the country had continued to fuel insecurity in different parts of the country.
He added that there must be collaboration between the media and the military, security agencies and the authorities to cover those ungoverned spaces. (NAN)
A former national chairman of the defunct Alliance National Party, Asiwaju Moshood Shittu, has urged opposition parties considering a merger to back former Kano State governor and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as their presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
Speaking at a press conference, Shittu, who previously served as the Director-General (North) of Kwankwaso’s presidential campaign council, emphasised that the opposition’s best chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lies in uniting behind Kwankwaso.
He described him as the only aspirant with the experience, credibility, and political reach necessary to lead the coalition to victory.
“Kwankwaso has the pedigree to carry the merger’s presidential flag to success,” Shittu said. “With his vast experience in governance, clean record, and strong political followership, he stands out as the best candidate.”
He highlighted Kwankwaso’s extensive public service record, including his roles as a former defence minister, special envoy to Darfur and Somalia, and a member of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board.
Additionally, he recalled Kwankwaso’s tenure as deputy speaker during the short-lived Third Republic, his two terms as Kano State governor, and his leadership in national security and legislative affairs.
Shittu warned that failure to rally behind Kwankwaso could spell doom for the opposition’s merger efforts.
He dismissed other opposition candidates, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, as lacking the necessary moral and qualitative competence to defeat Tinubu in 2027.
“This is the time to act in order to save our nation,” he declared. “The opposition must prioritise credibility, competence, and proven leadership if it truly seeks to unseat the incumbent president.”
Kwankwaso, who placed fourth in the 2023 presidential election, remains a key figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. However, it is unclear whether he will accept the call to lead a potential opposition coalition.
The Federal High Court has dismissed reports that the newly assigned judge in the case of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has stepped down.
The FHC, in a statement signed by the Chief Registrar, Sulaiman Hassan, on Tuesday described the report as “false and misleading.”
A publication circulating on social media had claimed that Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, was the new judge in Kanu’s case and had withdrawn, citing the illegality of his arrest.
However, in the statement, the chief registrar said the claim was “entirely unfounded, fictitious, grossly mischievous, damaging in intent and should be disregarded in its entirety.”
“The attention of Management of the Federal High Court has been drawn, with great concern, to an online reportage as above captioned.
“The court unequivocally refutes the false and misleading report, alleging that the Honourable Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John T. Tsoho, OFR, has stepped down from Nnamdi Kanu’s case and made statements regarding the legality of his arrest,” the statement read.
According to Hassan, the true position is that the Justice Tsoho, in his capacity as Chief Judge, has reassigned Nnamdi Kanu’s case from Justice Binta Nyako to another (‘new’) Judge.
Hassan said, “The report referred to, is, therefore, totally spurious.
“The defence team should hence prepare to receive instructions regarding the case, as may be issued by the new judge.
“The Federal High Court strongly cautions against deliberate misinformation to mislead the public and erode confidence in the judicial system.
“We urge the general public to be wary and rely only on verified information from official court sources.
“The court remains steadfast in upholding justice through due process of the law.”
NAN reliably gathered, however, that the case between the Federal Government and Kanu had been reassigned to Justice James Omotosho, following Justice Nyako’s recusal (withdrawal).
NAN
The House of Representatives has ordered total shutdown of porn websites nationwide.
It directed the Nigerian Communications Commission to enforce the immediate shutdown of the websites in the country.
The House gave the directive during plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmakers suggested that the internet providers must block access under the new directive.
Member representing the Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal constituency, Dalhatu Tafoki, sponsored the motion, calling it a step to “protect societal values.”
He said, “I would like to move a motion for the need to block internet websites hosting pornographic content and sanction the internet service providers responsible for the posting. The House notes that cyber pornography is fast becoming a global problem, and no concrete steps have been taken to cut its phenomenon in Nigeria.
“Nigeria is a highly religious country, and all the major religions in the country forbid nudity and obscenity in any form. Also note that countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have passed legislation that bans pornography in their domains.
“Renowned psychologists and sociologists around the world have issued stern warnings that there are psychological and sociological consequences for creating ponographic content.
“The immediate effects of doing ponographic content include a. promotion of adultery, prostitution, and other promiscuous behaviours, leading to addiction, escalation, and desensitisation, change of attitude towards oneself and family.”
The House adopted the motion and mandated its Committees on Communications and Legislative Compliance to ensure its implementation and report within four weeks for further legislative action.
The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abass, also warned that sanctions would be imposed on internet service providers that default while lawmakers put a voice vote in favour of the motion.