The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande, has called on Nigerian youth to actively address the growing menace of fake news, describing it as a significant threat to democracy and a factor undermining public trust in the media.
Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit by representatives of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), the Minister highlighted the urgent need for action to curb the spread of misinformation.
“Your group has a crucial role to play in combating the menace of fake news, which poses a serious threat to our democratic process,” Olawande stated. “If this trend is not addressed, it risks reversing the progress we’ve made in building our democracy over the years.”
He further emphasized the importance of reorienting youth, particularly media practitioners, to prioritize professionalism and ethics. “Journalists must detach emotions from their work and uphold the highest ethical standards to ensure accurate and credible reporting,” he said.
Representing YALI, Mr. Daniel Black outlined the organization’s commitment to fostering social development initiatives. He announced their participation in the 63rd Commission for Social Development, scheduled from February 10th to 14th, as part of their mission to amplify the voices of Nigerian civil society organizations on the global stage.
“As a consortium, we aim to use platforms like the United Nations Social Development workshop to spark conversations on critical issues such as poverty eradication, women’s inclusion, and other key social indicators in Nigeria,” Black explained.
He also urged government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to support their initiatives, stressing the importance of collaboration between civil society and government in tackling social challenges.
“We invite MDAs to join the program, share insights on their contributions to social development, and work collectively to develop actionable strategies to address Nigeria’s pressing issues,” he added.
Hajia Amina Dauran, Director of the Network for Social Mobilization at the Ministry, commended YALI’s efforts and pledged the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the group. “The Ministry looks forward to meaningful partnerships that will advance social development initiatives,” she said.
Stay informed with #TheAmehNews.
Discover more from Ameh News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
