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Tag: #ENDSARS

#EndSARS: Reps Kicks as Buhari Moves To Regulate Social Media.

By Etuk-udo Sampson

Apparently jolted by the EndSARS uprising that ruptured the relative peace in a shaking Nigeria, the Buhari administration seems to be bent on courting another trouble in the country.

The administration is making a seeming desperate move to regulate social media, claiming that the country is sitting on a keg of gunpowder if the issue of fake news is not urgently addressed.
The Buhari administration is insisting on regulating social media in the country.

But, the House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, does not appear to be travelling with the administration on its regulation bid. The House committee is warning against clamping down on free speech and press freedom.

President Muhammadu Buhari’s Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed, while appearing before the House panel to defend the 2021 budget proposed by his ministry, notes that the next war to be fought in the country and across the world might be the social media.

Mohammed claims the biggest challenge facing troubled Nigeria is fake news and misinformation, warning that the next war that will be fought in the country and across the globe may be in social media. He cited the recent EndSARS protests, saying that it was fought on social media.

‘’’They mobilised using the 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. 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”, the minister said.

Continuing, while explaining that the Buhari administration was not seeking to shut down the social media because it has come to stay, the minister adds that the country should have a social media policy that regulates social media and check fake news and misinformation.

According to him, ‘’the biggest challenge facing Nigeria today is fake news and misinformation. Based on that, we dedicated an entire National Council on Information meeting to that issue after which we launched a national campaign against fake news in July 2018. We said then that the next war will be fought without a shot being fired, but with the use of fake news. We didn’t stop there.

“We went on a tour of all media houses to solicit their support in the fight against fake news. We launched the campaign to regulate social media which was bitterly contested by the stakeholders.”

He further argued that if the social media is not regulated, it will destroy the country, expressing the hope that social media and fake news would not destroy Nigeria, pointing out that in 2017, there was a fake video of the herdsmen and farmers’ crisis, pointing out that it was a video of what happened in Tanzania that was played in Nigeria as if it was true.

Mohammed told the federal legislators: “In 2017, a very popular entertainer in Nigeria raised the false alarm that students of the College of Education, Gidan Waya in Kaduna State had been murdered. There was an almost reprisal only for him to find out that it was not true.

“In the same 2017, we found out that some of the videos being posted are things that happened in other parts of the world. When there was a problem between South Africa and Nigeria, they were posting videos of what happened in India and Tanzania to suggest that Nigerians were being roasted alive. That was what led to the reprisals in the malls.”

He said the government has continued to draw attention that this is a menace, pointing out, however, fake news is a worldwide phenomenon.

“The University of Ohio conducted a research and discovered that Hillary Clinton lost the presidential election to Trump because of fake news which was promoted by Russia and they worked on three issues.

‘’First was that Trump had been endorsed by the Pope. The second was that when she was secretary of state, she authorised the sale of arms and also that she was a very old person. These three things did a lot to sway the votes”, he says.

He said in June, there was a riot in Ethiopia when a popular musician was killed, the government shut down social media for two days to bring that riot under control, pointing out that this occurred around the time Ethiopia hosted the AU.

“But the truth is that the only way to do it was to shut down social media. We need technology and resources to dominate our social media. We need a social media policy to determine what can be seen and what cannot be seen.

“You will be shocked that when you start arguing with your children, they will be quoting social media. So, we need a social media policy in Nigeria and we need to empower the various agencies and we need technology to be able to regulate social media.’’

Warning against any attempt to shut down the social media, a member of the House committee, Emmanuel Oghene, says the action will be counter-productive and will lead the youths to believe that there is an attempt to truncate democracy.

Oghene said it was wrong to always look at the negative sides of the social media at all times without mentioning the good side.

”Talking about the recent looting of COVID-19 items, in some places they will be looting, but nobody will know. The government will not know and the police will not know. But because of social media, people will be posting as it is happening and the government will be able to go there and save lives.

“There was a time when some boys were digging the road and because of social media, this information came out and the situation was arrested. If there are no social media that will not happen”, he says.

The blunt federal legislator pointed out that China is not a good example because it is a communist country, while Nigeria has always been a free democratic country.

Chairman of the committee, Odebunmi Olusegun, says the Buhari administration should search for the technology to regulate the social media and be able to work with what is already available in cyberspace.

”I don’t want the media to misquote us. 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. We are not asking the government to stop social media.

‘’The most important thing is that government should go and look for the technology to regulate so that you can equally be working within the space”, the panel chairman says.

October 30, 2020
#EndSARS: Nigerian celebrities drags Desmond Elliot over his comment about celebrities and influencers

Some Nigerian celebrities have lashed out at actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot following his comment about Nigerian celebrities and social media influencers.

Recall that in a viral video which captured the Surulere lawmaker’s submission on the Lagos carnage, he asked the celebrities and influencers “to stop the hatred already”. He also pointed out that everyone has a means to change government.

However his comments seems not to have gone down well with his former colleagues in the entertainment industry. They have also taken to social media to express their “disappointment” with his comment.

Here are some reactions below;

October 29, 2020
Ganduje reinstates suspended aide who called out President Buhari over #EndSARS protest

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state has reinstated his media aide, Salihu Tanko Yakasai a.k.a Dawisu who he suspended for calling out President Buhari during the #EndSARS protest.

Dawisu had accused the Buhari-led government of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians even though he went round the country soliciting for votes in 2019.

He tweeted at that time;

“I have never seen a government with zero empathy like that of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“So many times when his people are going through a difficult time and expect some sort of tap on shoulder to reassure them that he is in charge, but he failed to do so.
“The ‘I don’t care attitude’ is on another level.
“To speak to your own people over issues that are bedevilling them has become something like a favour you are doing to them.
“Over and over again, you cannot spare five minutes to address the nation to calm them down, the same people you went to the 36 states to beg for their votes, it is heartbreaking.”

The Kano Governor’s media aide has now confirmed his reinstatement, two weeks after he was suspended.

Dawisu tweeted;

I wish to thank each and every one that reached out to me, or sent messages of goodwill over my reinstatement as Special Adviser Media to H.E @GovUmarGanduje, after my 2wks suspension. I am grateful to you all for your support and prayers. Thank you so much. #ZeroTension

October 29, 2020
#EndSARS: Desmond Elliot just destroyed all the precious childhood memories he gave us in movies – Davido

Davido has again reacted to the controversy that has trailed Desmond Elliot’s comment about celebrities and social media influencers in the wake of the #EndSARS protest.

Recall that the lawmaker representing Surulere constituency in the Lagos House of Assembly has debunked allegation of being one of those pushing for a bill to regulate social media and stiffle free speech.

However in a new tweet shared on Thursday October 29, Davido alleged that Desmond Elliot has destroyed all the precious childhood memories he gave the youths, in movies.

He tweeted;

Desmond Elliot just destroyed all the precious child hood memories he gave us in movies

October 29, 2020
#EndSARS: Why family members of Lekki shooting incident are afraid to speak up – Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, says family members of those affected by the shooting at the Lekki toll gate have refused to speak about the incident “because of the environment under which we operate”.

Falana said this on Wednesday, October 28 when he spoke at a virtual #EndSARS meeting organized by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters.

Falana said the Lekki shooting must not be swept under the carpet like the ”killing of 347 Shi’ites in Zaria, Kaduna state, in 2015.”

In his words

“Nobody should believe the military, it has a history of lies, fraud and deception. Just in December 2015, the same chief of army staff claimed there was a traffic jam in Zaria and the big man wanted to move.
And because of that traffic, he got soldiers from the first division in Kaduna to mow down hundreds of Shi’ites. And what was the explanation? That the Shi’ites wanted to assassinate the chief of army staff, and so his boys had to save him and in the process, they repelled these Shi’ites who had guns and about six or seven people died.
But in a commission of enquiry set up by the Kaduna state government, we were told that indeed, 347 Nigerians were killed by the military; no autopsy, no postmortem, nothing whatsoever.
Their bodies were taken away in the dead of the night and given a mass burial. And people will ask you, ‘if anybody lost his child in Lekki, why can’t they come up?’ Who has come up in the case of Zaria? Because you must understand the environment under which we operate.”

The lawyer also said some of those injured in the Lekki shooting “had to forcefully discharge themselves.”

According to him, the injured protesters were told in a hospital that they were going to be held liable for the riots in town, “and so, everybody had to move.”

October 29, 2020
Lekki massacre: Nigerian Army denies shooting #EndSARS protesters, says Lagos govt asked its officers to intervene

The 81 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA) has denied the allegation that soldiers opened fire on #ENDSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Plaza on Tuesday, October 20.

In a statement released by the Acting Director Army Public Relations (ADPR), Major Osoba Olaniyi, the Division confirmed the involvement of soldiers in restoring order in Lagos following the imposition of a curfew on the state by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Read the statement below

“The attention of Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video on social media in which it was alleged that civilian protesters were massacred by soldiers at Lekki Toll Plaza. This allegation is untrue, unfounded and aimed at causing anarchy in the country.
At no time did soldiers of the Nigerian Army open fire on any civilian. From the onset of the ENDSARS protest, there was no time personnel of 81 Division Nigerian Army Lagos were involved.
However, the decision to call in the military was taken by the Lagos State Government (LASG) after a 24- hour curfew was imposed.
This was as a result of the violence which led to several police stations being burnt, policemen killed, suspects in police custody released and weapons carted away.
The situation was fast degenerating into anarchy. It was at this point that LASG requested for the military to intervene in order to restore normalcy.
The intervention of the military followed all laid down procedures for Internal Security operations and all the soldiers involved acted within the confines of the Rules of Engagement (ROE) for Internal Security operations.
Finally, Headquarters 81 Division Nigerian Army reiterates Nigerian Army in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities did not shoot at any civilian as there are glaring and convincing evidence to attest to this fact.
This allegation is the hand work of mischief makers who will stop at nothing to tarnish the image of the Nigerian Army. The general public is hereby enjoined to discountenance this allegation as there is no iota of truth therein.”

October 28, 2020
#EndSARS: We must regulate social media before it destroys us – Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has once again called for the regulation of social media in Nigeria. According to him, Nigeria is sitting on a keg of gunpowder if the issue of fake news shared on social media is not urgently addressed.

Lai Mohammed said this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics, and Values to defend the 2021 budget proposed by his ministry.

While responding to questions from members of the committee, Lai Mohammed said that the next war to be fought in the country and across the world might be fought through social media, making reference to the ongoing #EndSARS protests.

According to Mohammed, the biggest challenge facing the country was the issue of fake news and misinformation, adding that the government identified this since 2017 and decided to launch a national campaign against fake news. He explained that the government was not seeking to shut down the social media space in the country because “the social media has come to stay”, but to have a social media policy that regulates the social media and check fake news and misinformation.

“The biggest challenge facing Nigeria today is fake news and misinformation. Based on that, we dedicated an entire National Council on Information’s meeting to that issue, after which we launched a national campaign against fake news in July 2018.
We said, then, that the next war will be fought without a shot being fired, but with the use of fake news. We didn’t stop there. We went on a tour of all media houses to solicit their support in the fight against fake news. We launched the campaign to regulate social media, which was bitterly contested by the stakeholders. We kept saying that if we don’t regulate social media, it will destroy us. Social media and fake news will not destroy Nigeria.
The recent #EndSARS war was fought on social media. They mobilised using the social media. The war today revolves around two things. Smartphone and data and these young men don’t even watch television or listen to 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 technology to be able to regulate the social media.”

Members of the committee, however, disagreed with the Minister.

A member, Emmanuel Oghene, warned against any attempt to shut down the social media in the country, saying the action will be counter-productive and would make the youths to believe that there is an attempt to truncate democracy in the country. He said the government should not only focus on the negative effect of social media.

“Talking about the recent looting of COVID-19 items, in some places they will be looting, but nobody will know. The government will not know and the police will not know. But because of social media, people will be posting as it is happening and the government will be able to go there and save lives.
There was a time when some boys were digging the road and because of social media, this information came out and the situation was arrested. If there are no social media, that will not happen.
I want to appeal that this desire to shot down the social media, 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.”he said

October 28, 2020
#EndSARS: Outrage as Lagos Judicial panel issues oath of secrecy to youth reps

Nigerian youths have opposed the oath of secrecy issued to their representatives on the Lagos panel probing the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The judicial body was constituted by the state government on October 15.

Rinu Oduala and Temitope Majekodunmi joined Lagos Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims on Tuesday.

The oath given to them to sign leaked to social media and respondents are upset.

Many have insisted that details of hearings must be made public.

Meanwhile, the panel reportedly withdrew the oath before swearing in the youth reps.

Moe Odele, an End SARS advocate and co-founder of the Feminist Coalition, gave the update.

“This has been rejected after concerns were raised and a dialogue was held this morning. The panelists will not be signing this document,” the lawyer tweeted.

Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) President, Olumide Apata, journalists, observers, among others are at the venue of the sitting.

Oduala, Majekodunmi and other panel members are tasked with listening to the submissions of SARS survivors, interrogating the accused personnel, and determining the veracity of all claims.

They will also recommend punishments for the guilty and appropriate compensation for the victims.

The panel will sit on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm at the Lagos Court of Arbitration at Remi Olowude Street, in Lekki.

October 27, 2020
#EndSARS: Rinu Oduala, Temitope Majekodunmi join Lagos Judicial panel to represent youths

Two leading lights of the End SARS protests, Rinu Oduala and Temitope Majekodunmi, have joinned the Lagos Panel of Enquiry and Restitution for Victims.

The body constituted by the state government was announced on October 15.

The duo were nominated and voted for by youths in online voting.

Movement Nigeria, a coalition of protest groups, announced their selection in a statement.

Oduala, a brand strategist and an advocate for social justice, has been at the forefront of the agitation.

Temitope, an administrator and transformational leader, has been advocating for an end to police brutality in Nigeria.

The representatives are tasked with listening to the submissions of survivors, interrogating the accused personnel, determining the veracity of all claims, recommending punishments for the guilty and appropriate compensation for the victims.

Sittings will take place on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am to 4 pm at the Lagos Court of Arbitration – 1A, Remi Olowude Street, Maruwa Roundabout, Lekki – Epe Expressway, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

“We hereby invite everyone who has been impacted, or been a victim of harassment, extortion or brutalization by members of the Nigerian Police Force SARS unit, and the Lekki Toll Gate shooting to take advantage of this opportunity for justice”, the statement read.

On Tuesday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu welcomed the representatives to the panel.

“Well done to the youths in Lagos for coming together to select Rinu Oduala & Majekodunmi Temitope to join the Lagos Judicial Panel On SARS as part of our commitment to justice and compensation for victims of Police brutality. Proceedings are public, follow @LagosSarsPanel”, he tweeted.

October 27, 2020
#ENDSARS: Panel begins sitting, assures justice for youth I’m the state.

Abel Leonard/ lafia

Nasarawa State Judicial panel of Inquiry to look into the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) has begun sitting to receive complaints from the public.

The commission gave interested petitioners two weeks to file in their cases and same two weeks to respondents to submit their responses .Proper sittings by the Commission for court hearings is expected to resume in a month’s time.

The commission is sitting at the headquarters of the state ministry of Justice, Lafia and has the following terms of reference : to receive and investigate complaints of police brutality and related extra judicial killings, to evaluate evidence and draw conclusion on validity of complaints and recommend compensation and other remedial measures. It has six months to submit its report.

Chairman of the commission, Justice Badamasi Maina (rtd) at this inaugural sitting appealed to #ENDSARS youths to stop further protests in the interest of peace and development of the country. He urged them to lodge their complaints at the various tribunals setup by state governments to address issues raised by them.

Justice Maina(rtd) stated, “the youths are justified and legally entitled to express their grievances at the current state of affairs, however, peaceful protest cannot continue indefinitely else, they become violent and defeat the purpose for which they are made. “Even if you support the agitation of the #EndSARS protesters, you will surely detest the mode the protests have taken, where roads and streets are blocked, vehicles and houses destroyed and innocent persons molested, far worse than the FSARS activities, to the extent that even victims of FSARS are affected”.

While commending youths in the state for not partaking in the protest, the Commission’s chairman enjoined them to take advantage of the judicial inquiry to channel their grievances and related issues to it for redress. He assured the public of their commitment to ensure justice, adding that the people would not be disappointed. He also urged those appearing before the commission to be precise in their submissions, avoid unnecessary arguments and legal technicalities to enable the Commission do justice to the matter and conclude its assignment in good time.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Abdulakarim Kana thanked members of the commission for accepting to serve in that capacity and assured them that the ministry would give them all the necessary support to succeed. Kana disclosed that if not for the proactive measures taken by the state government to avert the protest, the state would have witnessed unrests similar to what happened in other states. According to him, the SARS phenomenon was different in Nasarawa State.

“While other states are condemning the action of SARS, we in Nasarawa State are commending them for serving the people in the most difficult times. It is only the SARS personnel who were able to tackle the bad guys who were terrorizing the people”.

The Justice commissioner regretted that the #EndSARS protest was hijacked by hoodlums and appealed for calm among the youths as the government was putting in place measures to engage them on useful ventures.

October 27, 2020