Day 1 of a 2-day conference on combating misinformation and disinformation in Nigeria been organized by center for democracy & development which started today 27th August 2019 at transcorp hilton hotels Abuja.
Mr Aubrey Mccutcheon chief of party NDI made an opening remark by appreciating CCD for organizing a seminar/ workshop aimed at countering fake news in Nigeria. He also said that citizens should do everything possible to counter fake news in order to protect the interest of the nation.
Another speaker Mrs. Beatrice Ray of the United States Agency International Development (USAID) commemorated the effort of CCD in organizing a conference in misinformation and disinformation of fake news.
She also said that the conference is aimed at combating misinformation and disinformation of fake news in Nigeria in order to prevent crisis in the nation. Accurate and appropriate information should be passed to the public.
Mr. Samuel director of public relation services representing the honourable Minister of information and culture said citizens should do all they can do to stop misinformation of fake news in Nigeria.
He also made an appeal to the peace living people of the nation to do everything possible to discourage the promotion of fake news.
Another speaker Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, gave a talk on the political warfare disinformation and fake news misinformation and fake news and impact on election integrity.
He made emphasis on the wrong passing of fake news, misinformation and disinformation which has brought about serious crisis in Nigeria.
He said that information should be accurate and correct in order to avoid crisis
He also said that social media as a lot of role to note in order to avoid distorting of democracy processes in Nigeria.
Lastly Prof. Deji Adekunle of the Nigerian human rights commission (NHRC) made a chairs remark by commentating the effort of CCD for provoking our thought on this valuable issues.
He also noted that citizens should verify and validate the information before sharing it in the public, which is an important point on how to stop or fight misinformation and disinformation in Nigeria.