Olawande Calls on Nigerian Youth to Tackle the Spread of Fake News
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has called on Nigerian youth to take a firm stand against the spread of fake news, describing it as a threat to the democratic process and a major factor eroding public trust in the media.
Comrade Olawande made the statement in Abuja during a courtesy visit by representatives of the Young African Leaders Initiative to his office.
In his address, the Minister stated:
“Your group has a crucial role to play in curbing the menace of fake news, which poses a serious threat to our democratic process. If urgent steps are not taken to address this trend, it could reverse the progress we have made in building our democracy over the years.”
He further emphasized the need for sustained efforts to reorient Nigerian youth, especially media practitioners about the negative consequences of fake news. According to him, “There is a pressing need to sensitize journalists to detach emotions from their work and uphold the highest ethical standards in their profession.”
Speaking on behalf of the Young African Leaders Initiative, Mr. Daniel Black outlined the group’s commitment to promoting social development initiatives. He highlighted their participation in the upcoming 63rd Commission for Social Development, scheduled to take place from 10th to 14th February, as part of their efforts to amplify the voices of Nigerian civil society organizations and contribute meaningfully to global discussions.
“As a consortium, we aim to use platforms like the United Nations Social Development workshop to foster conversations that address key social indicators such as poverty eradication, women’s inclusion, and other critical areas in Nigeria,” Black said.
He also called on government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to support their initiatives, noting that collaboration between civil society organizations and the government is vital to addressing rising social challenges.
“We are extending an open invitation to MDAs to attend the program and share insights on their contributions to social development indicators. This collaboration will enable us to develop actionable reports on key issues affecting Nigeria and identify strategies to tackle them collectively,” he emphasized.
In her remarks, the Director of the Network for Social Mobilization at the Ministry, Hajia Amina Dauran, commended the executive of Young African Leaders Initiative for their visit and expressed the Ministry’s readiness to engage in meaningful collaborations with the group to drive social development initiatives forward.
Signed:
Omolara Esan, CM, NIPR
Director, Information and Public Relations
