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  • Respect citizens’ right, reverse suspension of Twitter, U.S. tells FG

    Respect citizens’ right, reverse suspension of Twitter, U.S. tells FG

    The President Joe Biden-led United States government has called on the Nigerian government to respect the rights of its citizens to freely express themselves by reversing its suspension of Twitter’s operations in the West African country.

    In a statement issued on Thursday evening by the spokesperson of the Department of State Ned Price, the US explained that freedom of expression and access to information are both essential ingredients in any democratic setting.

    “Unduly restricting the ability of Nigerians to report, gather, and disseminate opinions and information has no place in a democracy. Freedom of expression and access to information both online and offline are foundational to prosperous and secure democratic societies,” read a statement posted on the Department of State’s website.

    “We support Nigeria as it works towards unity, peace, and prosperity. As its partner, we call on the government to respect its citizens’ right to freedom of expression by reversing this suspension.”

  • FG opens account on Koo, days after sidelining Twitter

    FG opens account on Koo, days after sidelining Twitter

    Less than a week after banning American microblogging site Twitter indefinitely, the Nigerian government has joined its India-made rival Koo.

    Shortly after the ban, Koo had announced that it was available in Nigeria and was working to add local languages on its platform.

    Recall the government had alleged that the microblogging site was being used to undermine “Nigeria’s corporate existence”.

    From TheNewsGuru’s (TNG) findings, the new account opened by the Nigerian government on Koo account carries “@nigeriagov” as an handle and “Government of Nigeria” as its user name and it has garnered over 10,000 followers as at when this report was filed.

    Aprameya Radhakrishna, Koo founder and CEO, officially confirmed on Saturday that the platform is now available in Nigeria.

    Radhakrishna said his team was working on adding Nigeria’s local languages for Koo users in the country.

    “Koo is now available in Nigeria. We are thinking of enabling the local language there as well. He further added that they are considering introducing a local Nigerian language into the Koo app,” Radhakrishna said.

    “Nigeria is similar to India in terms of language diversity. It has hundreds of regional languages. Koo has a global outlook and will enable micro-blogging in countries that need it the most. We have built a scalable platform, and while we are still enhancing the product, it’s already available for use in multiple countries today.”

  • FG didn’t ban Twitter, it’s only a suspension-APC

    FG didn’t ban Twitter, it’s only a suspension-APC

    The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Ismaeel Ahmed, on Wednesday, said the Federal Government didn’t ban the use of Twitter, it only suspended its operations.

    He said this at a press conference before the rescheduled Progressive Youths Conference now to hold next week.

    Ahmed said, “The government didn’t ban social media as a lot of people will insinuate. It is very important that we know that because Facebook is still in operation, Instagram is still in operation, WhatsApp is still in operation, and a lot of other social media platforms are still in operation.

    “In fact, some people will tell you Twitter is for the elite young people and not necessarily for the general public.

    “I think there are far more subscribers on Facebook in Nigeria than there are on Twitter. But haven said that, it is still a very important medium for people.

    “So, whatever it is that the government felt to suspend Twitter, not even ban, there was a suspension and of course, there is a conversation going on between the government and the representatives of Twitter and I’m sure it will be resolved.”

    Ismaeel who is also a member of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary National Convention Planning Committee, also noted while he was personally not happy about the suspension of the operations of the microblogging site, he had no trouble supporting the federal government for taking the decision because the platform crossed the line by deleting a tweet by the President, Muhammadu Buhari

  • Suspension: Twitter approaches FG for dialogue

    Suspension: Twitter approaches FG for dialogue

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the microblogging platform, Twitter, has approached the Federal Government for dialogue with a view to resolving the problem that led to the suspension of its activities in Nigeria.

    Mohammed made this known to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at the presidential villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

    According to him, he got the message from Twitter seeking dialogue with the government over the suspension order on June 9.

    He maintained that the social media giant was suspended because it provided an avenue for unpatriotic elements that were bent on destroying the corporate existence of Nigeria.

    According to him, the owner of Twitter helped to fund the recent #EndSARS protest while allowing the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to use the platform to call for the killing of security agents and destruction of public facilities.

    He said Twitter failed to take down Kanu’s tweets in spite of repeated requests to do so.

    Mohammed listed conditions that must be met even if there is a discussion with Twitter including that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern.

    He said that other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram must also be registered so that the country could be able to generate revenue from their operations.

    “Our decision to suspend Twitter has been lauded by some; it has been decried by some.

    “But let me make it clear that what’s important to us is the sovereignty of Nigeria and until when Twitter is paused.

    “And the cardinal thing is that Twitter must be registered in Nigeria, Twitter must be licenced in Nigeria and Twitter must stop using its platform for activities that are inimical to the growth of Nigeria or to its corporate existence.’’

    According to the government spokesman, freedom of speech has not been stifled by the suspension of Twitter as he maintained that Nigerians can still use other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.

    He also denied that the suspension is not effective, arguing that “Twitter is losing money as a result of the action’’.

  • Twitter, Facebook, others must register in Nigeria – Lai Mohammed

    Twitter, Facebook, others must register in Nigeria – Lai Mohammed

    As part of its controversial move to regulate social media, the Nigerian government said on Wednesday that Twitter, Facebook and other social media giants must register in the country.

    Information minister Lai Mohammed also said Twitter, which was recently suspended by the Nigerian government, has called for a ‘high-level’ discussion.

    Mr Mohammmed said these in Abuja while briefing journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting.

    He repeated the government’s stance that Twitter was suspended because it provided an avenue for people threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria.

    He claimed that the owner of Twitter helped to fund the recent #EndSARS protest and is also allowing the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to use the platform to call for the killing of Nigerian security operatives.

    He said Twitter failed to take down Mr Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so.

    Recall TheNewsGuru (TNG) twitter recently deleted some of Mr Kanu’s controversial tweet. This was after the Nigerian government suspended Twitter’s operations in the country after the social media giant deleted a controversial tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mr Mohammed said one of the conditions that must be met before the Nigerian government lifts the suspension on Twitter is that the social media firm must be registered in Nigeria as a business concern.

    ALSO READ: Analysis: How Reps debated the controversial Twitter Ban in Nigeria
    He said other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram must also be registered in the country.

  • Twitter won’t function in Nigeria till it is duly registered, licensed – FG

    Twitter won’t function in Nigeria till it is duly registered, licensed – FG

    The Federal Government says the management of tech giant, Twitter, has reached out for dialogue.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said this on Wednesday while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council.

    He declared that the ban has so far been very effective following reports of Twitter’s huge financial losses running into billions.

    The Information Minister maintains that Twitter has been a platform of choice for separatists to thrive and would be disallowed from operating until it is duly registered, licensed, and operates within regulations.

    When the Minister was asked about the law under which Nigerians who violate the Twitter ban would be prosecuted, Lai refrained from answering and asked that the Attorney General of the Federation provide answers.

    Speaking concerning the discussion at the FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, Mohammed insisted on the ban and asked politicians to rise beyond various divisions and queue behind the country’s decision to ban the microblogging site.

    Minister Lai Mohammed also spoke concerning the payment of tax by tech giants in the country.

    He explained that most of the OTT and social media platforms operating in Nigeria do not have offices either do they pay taxes for the billions earned.

    Henceforth, the Federal government has resolved to ensure other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram be registered in the country and adverts have been published to this effect.

    The information minister, despite criticism by Human Rights groups, insists that freedom of speech has not been stifled as a result of the ban.

    He maintained that other social media platforms are still available for use.

  • Nigerians demand prosecution of Malami for bypassing FG’s #Twitterban with VPN to deactivate account

    Nigerians demand prosecution of Malami for bypassing FG’s #Twitterban with VPN to deactivate account

    Nigerians are calling for the prosecution of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who had earlier threatened to prosecute Twitter users after FG laced a ban on the micro-blogging site in the country.

    However, to the dismay of many Nigerians, Malami also breached Buhari’s Twitter ban, by side-tracking all the tech walls to log on to his Twitter account to deactivate it.

    Recall Twitter ban became effective from Saturday, a day after Information Minister, Lai Mohammed announced the dramatic ban.

    It followed Twitter’s removal of two tweets by President Buhari, in which he threatened violence against insurrectionists, in the eastern part of Nigeria.

    Twitter said the tweets violated its rules.

    The Nigerian government said Twitter must treat President Buhari under a different rule and accused Twitter of double standard.

    Malami, who had said the suspension, that was not backed by any known law, must be respected announced on Tuesday that he had deactivated his Twitter account.

    He announced this on his Facebook page this evening with a screenshot of his activity.

    How did he do it without violating the ban?

    The disclosure attracted over 10,000 comments by Tuesday night, as many wondered how he deactivated the account, except via the VPN backdoor.

    Here are some:

    “So you’re among those accessing Twitter through the back door? Oya prosecute yasef(Sic), wrote Prudens Tia.

    “Almighty Malami, well done on”, Kehinde Adegbite said.

    Omobolanle Adeyemo said: Are we supposed to clap for you?

    Alambo Datonye Fred: “You have broken the law for secretly using Twitter when FG banned it. You have to submit yourself for prosecution.

    And Tunde Akogun summed it all: How did you deactivate your account? Moron!

  • Twitter insulted Buhari, humiliated Nigerians -Yemi Solade

    Twitter insulted Buhari, humiliated Nigerians -Yemi Solade

    Veteran actor, Yemi Solade has said Twitter went too far insulting President Muhammadu Buhari by deleting his tweet.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that Twitter had earlier deleted Buhari’s tweet wherein he spoke about the civil war experience and threatened to deal with those “bent on destroying” Nigeria through “insurrection.”

    The occurrence led to the eventual suspension of the microblogging site by the federal government for “the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.”

    But in a trending video, Solade said the president’s tweet was merely an expression of his thought, adding that Twitter was wrong to have deleted it.

    “It (Buhari’s deleted tweet) is just an expression for all I care. It’s something that is coming from everyone’s fundamental human right to express. Even at that, I will not subscribe to malicious posts and hate speech. Nobody thought Twitter was going to be banned. Everybody thought it was a huge joke,” he said during an interview with GoldMyneTV.

    “I think Twitter went too far insulting the president of Nigeria and, by extension, all of us — some 200 million people of Nigeria. I think about 45 percent of the subscribers more or less, Nigerians, make Twitter very thick.

    “This is not the first time Twitter will attempt to humiliate Nigerians. It happened to Pastor Chris Oyakilome. I think the white supremacist and imperialist tendencies should be curbed sometimes.

    “As much as I am of the opinion that everybody has right to expression and thought but then when a platform is used to foment trouble or want to project anarchy there should be rules regulating such practices.”

    The role interpreter also accused the platform of encouraging hate, noting that most of the remarks on the platform are usually negative.

    “But in this case, one come across some volatile moment on Twitter. I would want to align with the school of thought that Twitter wasn’t really helping. Nigeria has so many problems to contend with and Twitter wasn’t really helping the country,” he added.

    “Most of the posts were far too negative, especially hitting the government of Nigeria. And I know individuals doing business on Twitter will miss it.

    “I want to think in a larger space that it really trampled on the fundamental human rights of Nigerians.”

     

  • Breaking: PDP Reps walk out of plenary over Twitter ban

    Breaking: PDP Reps walk out of plenary over Twitter ban

    …unban Twitter now they insist

    …we’ll continue to tweet
    …Malami should arrest us not our constituents
    …says PDP Reps are one family

    Members of the House of Representatives Peoples Democratic Party, PDP on Tuesday staged a walkout of plenary protesting the ban of Twitter by the Federal Government.

    Briefing journalists after the walk out, PDP Caucus leader , Rep Kingsley Chinda, alongside 19 PDP members said:
    “We walked out of plenary because because we want the immediate reversal of the Federal Government ban on Twitter before the legislature/Executive deliberate on it.

    The drama started after the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila read his opening speech where he mandated four committees to investigate the Twitter Federal Government imbroglio.

    Chinda, leader of the caucus had moved that before legislative business commences its investigation it should first of all unban Twitter.

    His move was over ruled by the speaker and this led to a rowdy session and the PDP caucus walked out of plenary.

    The speaker had said “by way of a rescission, you ought to come with a motion that is the rule.

    While briefing journalists, Chinda said “we don’t want FG to arrest our clients instead we their Representatives should be arrested because we will continue to tweet.

    “We won’t stop tweeting and please arrest us and touch not our constituents because we will continue to tweet.
    “It’s not wrong to make an inclusion to the resolution of the House and that was what I did.

    Asked whether the entire PDP members were in sync with the position of all PDP Reps, Chinda responded saying:
    “In the name of God please the PDP family is not divided we are all together.

  • We are in depressing times in Nigeria – Kate Henshaw

    We are in depressing times in Nigeria – Kate Henshaw

    Popular actress, Kate Henshaw has urged Nigerians to look out for one another in this trying times.

    Henshaw, in a tweet on Monday, said, “Talk to someone if you have to. Take a break. We are in depressing times. Make person head no go blow like gasket for engine. (sic)

    “We need each other at optimum to get through this. #KeepItOn.”

    The award winning role interpreter had earlier criticized the government over the ban of Twitter in the country.

    In an earlier tweet, she wrote, “Majority are barely surviving, being killed with reckless abandon. Our children are kidnapped at will, but it’s Twitter that has helped expose these ills that is the problem?”

    TheNewsGuru reports that Twitter in support of Nigerians, came up with the hashtag #KeepItOn after the ban of the microblogging site by the Federal Government was announced on Friday by Nigeria’s Information Minister, Lai Mohammed.

    The use of Twitter was described as a punishable crime by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, despite it not being enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).