The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Borno State chapter, has expressed concerns over the spread of fake news and unverified information on social media, citing its impact on insecurity in the state. Chairman of Magumeri Local Government Area and ALGON representative, Dr Ali Yaumi, made this statement in Maiduguri at a press briefing and media stakeholders' technical alignment meeting. The event was organised by the Nigerian Youth Parliament, Borno State caucus, in collaboration with ALGON.
According to Dr Yaumi, local governments will collaborate with the Nigerian Youth Parliament and community leaders to promote information verification and responsible information sharing at the grassroots level. This initiative aims to address the proliferation of unverified posts on social media platforms, which has enabled people to publish information without verifying its accuracy. Dr Yaumi noted that local governments play a crucial role in implementing development policies and programmes, making them essential in sensitising communities about the dangers of fake news.
The collaboration between local governments, the youth parliament, and community leaders seeks to support the implementation of the proposed Borno State Media Action Plan 2027-2031. This plan aims to promote greater community participation in verifying information before dissemination, thereby reducing confusion that could fuel insecurity. Dr Yaumi urged stakeholders to work together to promote responsible information sharing and ensure that information is verified before it is disseminated.
Akan Edet, a member of the Nigerian Youth Parliament representing Akwa Ibom, emphasised the importance of verifying information before sharing it. He stressed that establishing the accuracy of information before dissemination is crucial in addressing misinformation, rumours, and harmful narratives that affect development, public trust, and community cohesion. The proposed Media Action Plan is expected to provide a practical framework for addressing these issues.
Fatima Bukar, a member representing Borno North in the Nigerian parliament, highlighted the Nigerian Youth Parliament's efforts to engage government institutions and promote youth participation in leadership and decision-making. The parliament, which has 109 members, is working to sustain its activities beyond its inauguration through regular sittings and policy engagements. This includes parliamentary sittings and motions on constituency issues.
The partnership between ALGON and the youth parliament aims to promote more inclusive governance by bringing young people closer to government and ensuring that government policies and programmes take their concerns into account. Dr Yaumi believes that this collaboration will help reduce confusion capable of fuelling insecurity and promote responsible information sharing.
The stakeholders' meeting in Maiduguri marked a significant step towards addressing the issue of fake news and unverified information in Borno State. By working together, local governments, the youth parliament, and community leaders can help create a more informed and responsible community, ultimately contributing to a reduction in insecurity in the state.
Key points
- - ALGON, Borno State chapter, raises concerns over fake news fuelling insecurity in the state. - Local governments will collaborate with the Nigerian Youth Parliament and community leaders to promote information verification and responsible information sharing. - The proposed Borno State Media Action Plan 2027-2031 aims to address misinformation and promote community participation in verifying information.
