The 2019 general elections in Nigeria is fast approaching and various political parties and directly concerned individuals in the country are ‘sharpening’ their skills on how to achieve their goals – which is to win.
To many of them, winning is what matters – irrespective of how this is achieved. And they are already at it. To them, winning includes ‘brewing’ different kinds of lies and untruths about opponents using the social media.
While it is a matter of fact that what we call the social media is almost impossible to regulate, it can, however, be streamlined.
There are so many reasons why activities of Nigerians using the social media should be streamlined as next year’s elections draw near.
In the first place, many Nigerians have developed the habit of believing whatever they read on the social media. It may sound unbelievable but professional media men are also in this category of Nigerians. Thus, such spurious materials usually find their ways into the regular/mainstream newspapers.
And when this happens, the fabric of unity that binds Nigeria together further gets mutilated.
Most of the killings and violence, including kidnappings and others are being encouraged by those who use the social media to fight the establishment. Surely, this is a period in the history of Nigeria when unity and national sovereignty needs to be protected.
Those in positions of authority, especially the Minister in charge of the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, need to be more proactive and find ways of streamlining social media activities.
Nigeria is a country of nearly 200 million people. It should be protected from falling into crisis. Crisis in Nigeria is crisis for Africa. Those concerned need to make decisive steps if they want to be recorded on the good side of history.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
