2023 ELECTIONS: NOA TELLS YOUTH TO AVOID HATE SPEECH AND FAKE NEWS

As the nation goes to the polls this month, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Director-General Garba Abari has encouraged the youth to refrain from inflaming the political climate by avoiding hate speech and false information.

During a one-day stakeholder dialogue on the 2023 elections with the subject of “Fostering Youth Action For Peace,” Abari made the call on Wednesday in Abuja.

Building Blocks For Peace Foundation and NOA collaborated to organize the discussion.

The involvement of young men and women will likely play a significant role in determining the outcome of the election, according to Abari, especially considering the level of enthusiasm shown by these groups of Nigerians.

But this also depends on how much we understand our fundamental civic duties as citizens—obeying the law, making sure that the voting process is really inclusive and participatory, and being willing to support the government and security agencies so that we disprove those who have doubts.

“Youths should take care to avoid hateful remarks and bogus news, which will undoubtedly gain popularity as the election draws nearer.

We need to make sure that we use social media for constructive purposes because incidents of fake news and hate speech have sparked war in various parts of the world.

Rafiu Lawal, executive director of the BBF Foundation, said the program’s goal was to increase youth engagement in the upcoming general elections since their participation is crucial for Nigeria’s socioeconomic and political progress.

He urged political figures to use all available channels to inform the public about the elections while warning the young people against using violence.