Security
Kano CP worries over “avalanche” of fake information on social media
Kano CP worries over “avalanche” of fake information on social media
By Admin Sept. 11, 2023
Kano ,The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Mr Usaini Gumel, has expressed concern over what he termed as “avalanche” of fake information on social media.
He said that people were being fed with unregulated, false, hateful and defamatory information which had often led to violence in the society.
Nigerncourier reports that Gumel spoke on Sunday in a lecture titled: “The Perils of Social Media, Consequences of Defamation and Spreading of Falsehood”.
He presented the lecture in Gumel during the Youths of Gumel Emirate Facebook Connect Initiative 2023.
According to him, misinformation, hate-speech and defamation of character now flow freely on social media platforms because of ignorance and absence of regulation.
The Commissioner of Police said though the social media has added value to the society, it has also contributed to insecurity, conflicts and religious bigotry in the country.
Gumel observed that a significant number of youths that interact on social media platforms know little or nothing about the legal framework that guide the upright use and the consequences of its misuse.
“It is convincing facts that some of the news and views spread so rapidly through the social media platforms keep causing turbulence and social disharmony among citizens.
“Although the social media have advantages with recognizable multiple merits, the perils however, need not only to be more highlighted but also be tackled with prudence.
“We are all aware that the ability of the social media products consumers are still immature in this century to effectively coordinate the massive information sent to them in text messages, Facebook posts and tweets, etc.
“This is because they keep utilizing them without verifying the authenticity of the contents that could, in some cases, be harmful to them or the society,” he added.
According to him, there are numerous instances where the social media has created social turbulence, resulting in social unrest and sudden rise of online crimes that pose grave threats to the society.
He added that there were records of cases of online harassment of eminent citizens and political personalities, thus exemplifying the behaviour and social sickness of a society.
“This sort of online pestering comprises threat, religious-based abusive statements, hate speeches, blackmail and sometimes upload of morphed pictures etc.
“Those acting this way should always remember that not all victims overlook the damaging effects, and harmful consequences of those actions on their individual and collective fundamental freedoms,” he added.
The Commissioner of Police said it was distressing that government has no or limited control to restrain social media sites except through complete shutdown of the internet or ban of a particular platform in case of violation.
“As a result, the social media has regularly been employed by adversaries of the state as well as non-state actors who, in most cases, create misinformation, fictitious narratives, hate propaganda, inciting fear, false alarm, infuse mutual distrust, etc.
“These started to impact the various facet of human life and day to day functioning of societies, which further destabilized national integration and security of a country,” he said.
Gumel advised social media handlers to be wary of false information and use of fowl languages capable of causing social unrest, defamation of character and threat to national security
About The Author
Brig.-Gen. Samaila Mohammed Uba, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR) and seasoned strategic communication expert, has assumed office as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI).
The handover ceremony, which held at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), followed a recent reorganisation within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Uba, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), succeeded Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, whom he commended for his achievements during his tenure.
In his inaugural address, the new DDI pledged to reposition the directorate under four key priorities — unity of purpose, timeliness and transparency, digital innovation, and media collaboration.
He also lauded his predecessor for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Born on July 1, 1968, in Tudun Wada, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Uba began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of Short Service Combatant Course 30 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on March 13, 1993.
He initially served in the Directorate of Army Public Relations before transferring to the Infantry Corps.
His educational background includes Tudun Wada Primary School and Saint Thomas Secondary School, Kano, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African School Certificate in 1981 and 1986, respectively.
He later bagged a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 2009 and a Master’s degree in Strategic and Development Studies from the Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2019.
Uba attended several military courses, including the Senior Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Bangladesh.
He held several command, staff, and instructional appointments such as Officer in Charge of Administration at the Infantry Centre and School, Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade, Borno, and Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Contingent to the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda.
He also served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, and later as a directing staff and Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.
Uba was seconded to the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, as the Defence Headquarters Training Team Leader, where he trained customs officers in command and staff duties.
He also served as Deputy Director, Peacekeeping Operations, and Director, Personnel Services, at the Army Headquarters, before becoming Director, Department of Joint Studies, AFCSC, Jaji.
A recipient of numerous awards, Uba holds the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal, Passed Staff Course (Double Dagger ++), National Defence College (Bangladesh) medal, Nigerian Army Outstanding Tactical Command Medal, and Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award Medal.
He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Nigerian Institute of Management, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and Nigerian Society of International Affairs.
Brig.-Gen. Uba is married with children and enjoys playing squash and reading.
About The Author
About The Author
About The Author
FG to provide starter packs for TVET graduates — Minister
NPFL fines Katsina Utd N9m, orders closed-door matches over crowd violence
Northern Revenue Conference: Gov. Yusuf tasks Northern states on collaborative tax reforms
JUST IN: FG Declares Sallah Public Holiday
Refinery: NNPC Ltd Targets Sustained Production with New Maintenance & Compliance Measures
Choose dialogue over protest, Kano groups urge youths
-
General2 years ago
JUST IN: FG Declares Sallah Public Holiday
-
Economy1 year agoRefinery: NNPC Ltd Targets Sustained Production with New Maintenance & Compliance Measures
-
News1 year agoChoose dialogue over protest, Kano groups urge youths
-
Agriculture7 months agoNew HJRBDA boss outlines ambitious agenda for agricultural growth, youth empowerment
-
Agriculture10 months agoFG trains laboratory technicians , technologists on soil health card scheme
-
General1 year agoActionAid urges youths to harness digital technologies for development
-
Security7 months agoTroops arrest 55-year-old suspected kidnapper in Kano, recover arms
-
Entertainment2 years agoPopular actor, Ali Nuhu appointed as MD Film Corporation