VON DG, Ndace decries spread of fake news via social media in Nigeria

By Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The Director General of Voice of Nigeria, (VoN) Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace has decried the spread of fake news in the country, especially through the social media which according to him has affected information sharing and management.

He, however, said that without traditional institutions some of Nigeria’s companies would have been worse.

Ndace made the assertion recently during his courtesy visit to the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V. In Calabar.

The VON boss who noted that it was imperative for the younger generation to know the roles the traditional institutions played in peace building offered his organisation’s platform for effective publicity of all the Obong’s programmes.

He said Nigerians needed to be consistent and unapologetic in telling their stories because no one would blow Nigeria’s trumpet, other than Nigerians.

“We are in a very difficult era as a country in terms of information sharing and management largely because of the social media through which missing for mission disinformation spreads.

“There are enough positive stories to tell about Calabar, Nigeria and Africa, ranging from our diversity, dynamism, the beauty of our dressing and the way we respect our traditional institutions”.

“Based on the renewed hope agenda of Mr President and the five point agenda of the minister of information and orientation we are determined and unapologetic about building a positive narrative about Nigeria and Africa,” he explained.

In his remarks, the Obong of Calabar commended the VON DG for his determination to portray Nigeria in good light adding that his appointment was well deserved.

The obong of Calabar stated that it was important for the Nations culture to be projected noting that history of the nation needed to be returned fully in the nation’s educational curriculum.

He also used the opportunity to call on the Federal Government to support and empower traditional institutions more to enable them function effectively the way they should.

“The traditional institutions should be recognized and given authority to do things and not just remembered only during the elections on when there are problems”.

“We can’t continue to go cap in hand, begging politicians for resources to be able to carry out our functions in the society, we ask for financial backing from the government” he stressed.