President Muhammadu BuhariPresident Muhammadu Buhari has called on None Governmental Organisations (NGO) to step up campaign against growing rate of hate speeches as the nation approaches the 2019 general elections.
“Now we are in the season of political campaigning. Unfortunately, some people will attempt to take this opportunity to propagate their hateful agenda. Therefore, it is our collective responsibility to also step up by preaching tolerance and understanding.
“As a Government, we are doing our best. But we need non-Governmental organisations like yours to also support us in delivering the message of peace and unity. After all, we only have one Nigeria – our only country.”
The Present, who spoke when he received in audience, a group fighting against hate speeches, said that Nigeria needs such forums to promote peaceful co-existence and mutual understanding between many religious, tribal and political groups.
“In the past decade, the world has seen some fundamental structural changes. A good example is the digital and cyber revolution that is still reshaping the world as we all know.
In many instances, this development positively impacts billions across the globe. However, on the contrary, the same platforms are used as tools to propagate divisions and hatred.
Nigeria is not isolated from these influences.
“We are seeing rising instances where social media platforms are being used to propagate hatred between religious, political and tribal groups. These spiteful messages that incite violence are posted by a handful of unpatriotic people, anonymously. Sponsors of these platforms must take adequate measures to deny purveyors of hatred and division space.
It is only through continuous dialogue and engagement that these menaces can be stopped.”
