By Steve Oni, Ilorin
In the wake of the EndSARS protests in Nigeria, the Federal Government has urged security agents and other necessary bodies to employ diplomacy and utmost civility while working to restore peace and sanity to our land.
Minister of state for Transport Senator Gbemisola Saraki made this admonition in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, at a town hall meeting with youths and women, saying President Buhari decried the incalculable damage fake news through social media is doing to the country.
She said: “Nigeria has indeed witnessed an unprecedented agitation by youths during the #EndSars protests, while I recognize the right to demonstrate peacefully as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other enactments, I am saddened at the aftermath of the peaceful demonstration.
“The spread of misinformation and false news through social media is on the rise. The task to make social media our safe haven lies in our fingertips. Before you share any message on social message, ask yourself; is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind?
“I grieve heavily for our brothers and sisters who lost their lives, businesses or got injured in the event of this social unrest. I am confident that Kwara shall rise again with our wings high like the phoenix. As we walk this phase of our history, let us remain one resilient people under God, with absolute faith trusting that we shall indeed rise
“The events of last few weeks were no doubt some of the darkest gradients of our history as a state and as a people.
“The beautiful city of Ilorin is most prominent for peace and her passionate advancement of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and the propagation of Islam. The people of Ilorin and Kwara worked hard to build the economic prosperity we find in our state.
“Young people under 30 make up more than 40 percent of Nigeria’s population. According to Chatham House, If Nigeria’s unemployed youths were its own country, it would be larger than Tunisia or Belgium.
“President Muhammadu Buhari has shown strong willingness and drive toward eradicating poverty and unemployment by putting in place measures and initiatives principally targeted at youths, women and the most vulnerable groups in our society. Our souvenir has a comprehensive list of Federal Government initiatives aimed at women and youths.”
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