AS part of efforts to check the spread of fake news, the Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday, sought partnership with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO).
The partnership seek to make factual information available as a way of countering the false narratives projected by some Nigerians abroad.
Mohammed made the call in Abuja during a courtesy visit by members of NIDO, UK Chapter, to his office.
“As an organised and well-connected group, I implore NIDO to leverage its contacts in government circles, parliamentary groups, and global think tanks in world capitals to help change the narrative and sweep the carpet off the feet of secessionist groups, insurgents, and anarchists who are bent on pushing false narratives to portray Nigeria in a bad light.”
“’I have no doubt that you will take this call seriously and do everything in your power to change the narrative for the better,” he said.
However, describing NIDO’s role as imperative to fighting misinformation about the country, he noted that as critical stakeholders, the responsibilities could be carried out through supports from the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).
The Minister said as part of deliberate efforts to counter anti-government propaganda, which is aimed at drowning the country, the government is scaling up diplomatic efforts to reverse the trend.
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“On our part as government, we are currently re-engineering and ramping up our diplomatic efforts to counter and reverse the narrative, in addition to countering pervasive anti-government propaganda,” he said.
The Chairman, NIDO, UK Chapter, Chibuzo Ubochi, called on the National Assembly to fast track the passage of the bill that would enable Nigerians in Diaspora to vote and be voted for during elections, in view of their numerous contributions to the Nigerian economy.
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