The Federal Government has said Nigeria needs a new legal framework to regulate the use of social media.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said this at the public presentation of a book, titled: Nigerian Public Discourse: The Interplay of Empirical Evidence and Hyperbole, written by former Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola yesterday in Lagos.
President Tinubu urged the National Assembly to give the country a fresh regulatory framework on how best to use the social media.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, the President said it was high time the federal lawmakers reviewed the existing regulations with a view to improving them for more effectiveness.
He recalled that the Ninth National Assembly made appreciable efforts to give the country a new legal framework but the opposition by many social critics twarted the initiative.
President Tinubu noted that with the turnout of events in the public space, the government could not afford to allow an era of misinformation through social media to thrive.
He said: “Who should be blamed for spreading fake reports through social media? Is it the purveyor of the fake story or the reader?
“While we need to engage in public discourse, we need to ensure that we base our discussions on facts and empirical data.
“Unfortunately, many uninformed people have been relying heavily on social media to engage the public. And in most cases, that information has been found to be false.
“Now that we have the 10th Assembly, both chambers (the Senate and the House of Representatives) will take up the challenge to give the country a new Bill.
“In our national lives, we are confronted with making policies that would ensure the future of our children and our country’s prospects.
“Hence, we, as leaders and policy makers, must begin to engage the people truthfully.”
Fashola, who authored the 218-page book published by Quramo Publishing Limited, said the book was a product of his public service experience.
The former minister said he was glad that the content of the literary work had started to generate discourse among Nigerians across the divide.
“The contents of the book come from our common experience and exposition. The event is intended to provoke very serious conversation about our beloved country, Nigeria. And I am happy that that conversation has since started,” he said
Fashola urged states’ Houses of Assembly to enact laws that will favour monthly or maximum of six-month rent tenure, particularly in the urban centres.
“Speakers of Houses of Assembly, this is the time to start the work. Unlike in the rural communities, there are many houses that are built and locked up by the owners who live in cities,” he said.
The former minister described his book as the output of his 21 years in public service.
A panel of discussion on the book comprised a former Special Assistant to the President on Digital/New Media, Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi; a social entrepreneur and technology education professional, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji; and Barrister, TV anchor and producer, Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie.
Dignitaries at the event included Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat; former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi; former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola; and former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande.
Others are: the first female chairperson of First Bank of Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika; CEO, Quramo Publishing, Opeyemi Agbaje; Executive Publisher, Quramo Publishing, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Ali M. Ali, some traditional rulers and white caps chiefs.