Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday, March 26, said President Bola Tinubu is an advocate of citizen communication, who believes that Nigerians must, by right and necessity, be well-informed.
Shettima said the policy is the most practical way of dealing with fake news and misinformation.
The vice president spoke in Abuja at the opening of the 1st national spokespersons’ summit, organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, with the theme, “Change Narrative, Change Society.”
The summit brought together spokespersons from both the public and private sectors, spanning national and sub-national levels.
Speaking in the “Constructing Narratives Amidst Chaos”, Shettima stressed the power of a single word to either stabilise or disrupt a nation.
He therefore charged spokespersons and image makers to bridge the information gap by providing timely and evidence-based information.
He said: “Time and again, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reassured the nation of his belief in citizen communication and engagement.
“He believes that the citizens of Nigeria must, by right and necessity, be well-informed—truthfully, accurately, and in a timely manner. This is the most practical antidote to the waves of partisan and sectional agendas promoted by hacks invested in tearing the nation apart. As experts and professionals, this is an invitation for you to partner with us in crafting the right narratives to change the Nigerian story and reinvent our society.”
“In the life of a nation, the power of a single word to stabilise or disrupt cannot be underestimated, therefore, it is crucial that as we exchange ideas, as we share knowledge, and as we build relationships, we do so within a framework of order, not chaos.
“This maiden summit of spokespersons arrives as a timely intervention in a world where lies and propaganda vie for dominance amidst the complexities of our daily existence.
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, those of us in the public sphere know very well that at some point, falling prey to false narratives and targeted agendas is inescapable.
“These are usually aimed at undermining and misrepresenting one’s ideas or perceptions. The importance of diligent and objective communication is never more evident than when confronted with the deceptive tactics of fake news merchants, those who dedicate their lives to casting shadows on noble efforts and aspirations to inform and enlighten the world.
He therefore charged the spokesperson to be the voice of their organisation or principals, which is their unique responsibility.
He added: “You bear the burden of bridging divides, fostering understanding, and inspiring change. Through your commitments and sacrifices, the voices of the misrepresented and the misunderstood are amplified, and the vision of a better tomorrow is brought to fruition.
“The power of the spokesperson comes with great responsibility to communicate with clarity. The evolving global media landscape makes your job more complex than ever before. The rise of social media has not only given birth to a 24/7 news cycle, where information spreads at lightning speed, but it has also stretched your sanity to another dimension. Today, you are not only the spokesperson, a gatekeeper of truth, but also a defender of the public at the mercy of fake news merchants and their impressionable mercenaries.
“Every day, we become further convinced that we can never win the war against misinformation and disinformation unless our responses to them are timely and evidence-based. You don’t need to be reminded that you are a pillar of the nation’s security framework.