The UN has advised the Federal Government to ensure more investments and development for youths and women to realise their aspirations through job and access to the economy.
UN Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, gave the advice when she paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Friday in Abuja.
Mohammed, who commended the Federal Government’s efforts in addressing infrastructural deficit in the country, reiterated the commitment of the UN to strengthen collaboration with the government.
“My visit this time around is one of home coming but coming home is never a holiday. It is only to lend our voice and experience.
“Tell us anything that you think we can do better to strengthen Nigeria’s collaboration with the UN. I was fortune enough to not just stop here but I also went home to Gombe State to see the work that the State and local government are doing.
“Also to some Federal Government initiatives that were there on the ground; I was also fortunate to be able to go by road and see the infrastructures that have been built along the road.”
She expressed concern over the security challenges facing not just the country but the whole sub-region.
According to her, the sub-region has come out against many challenges of security.
“But we believe that the best medicine for that, the best solution to that is more investment and development for young people and women to realised their own aspirations through job and access to the economy.
“And I think this is something that the country is addressing. It is a pleasure to visit you and to hear what we can do to consolidate collaboration between the UN and the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.
Responding, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, expressed concern over the prevalence of fake news, misinformation and the consequences on peace and security of the country.
He said that fake news had changed the entire landscape and fortune of mankind and not for the better.
Mohammed disclosed that the ministry had discovered recently about 476 online publications that were devoted daily to promoting fake news about the present administration and the country.
“And unfortunately, this days, most young people no longer watch television, they don’t listen to radio talk less of reading newspaper.
“Most of our young people today prepare their news on the social media platforms.
“And this is why we need your cooperation to assist us in deepening and enriching our ability to access the new and to put forward beautiful things that the Nigerian Government is doing.
“In the area of infrastructure, I can say it without fear of contradiction that no government has invested so much like the present administration.
“Despite dwindling oil revenue and the negative impact of COVID-19, the government has continued to make a lot of progress in railway, roads and bridges.
“It is on record that we were able to complete within less than four years, 156km dual carriage standard gauge rail between Lagos and Ibadan.
“But unfortunately all these laudable achievements of government are being dragged by fake news and the activities of none state actors weather in the South East or in the North East.’’
He debunked insinuation that the government do not support free media or freedom of expression, adding that every freedom came with obligation.
He said the recent decision of government to suspend the operation of twitter was actually meant primarily to enforce the sovereignty of the country.
“Nobody will be allowed to use his platform to promote insurgency or insecurity. This is the understanding we crave from the international community.
“We are believe in democracy and we do not see any country in the world that the media is freer than in Nigeria but we believe that there are certain lines that we should not cross.
“I must say that we are not alone in attempt to regulate the Social Media. Canada is doing the same and UK is doing the same and other countries,’’ the minister said.
NAN
