The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has warned Nigerians overseas against the use of social media to insult and incite from a safe and anonymous distance.
Buhari gave the warning while speaking at a meeting with representatives of Nigerians living in Portugal on Wednesday night.
According to a statement issued on Thursday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, The president said social media can be a force for good as well as a force for evil, he therefore urged diasporan Nigerians to use social media responsibly.
In the statement which was titled, ‘In Portugal, President Buhari reiterates commitment to peaceful, credible elections in 2023’, Buhari noted that many countries, including Nigeria, have shown that their diaspora can be a veritable engine for growth and development.
‘‘The world is a global village and technology has shrunk the world even more. Although you reside beyond Nigeria’s boundaries you can engage easily with the country. In fact, we see the impact of that engagement clearly on social media.
‘‘This platform has empowered Nigerians in the diaspora and given you great influence. As we have seen, however, social media can be a force for good as well as a force for evil.
‘‘Many countries, including our own have had to take strong measures against some social media platforms to curb their excesses and prevent them from destabilizing our societies.
‘‘I, therefore, call upon you to use social media responsibly. We all want the best for our country and people, so let us strive to build, unite and prosper our nation and people and not to insult and incite from a safe and anonymous distance,’’ Buhari was quoted as saying.
The president expressed delight in the successful involvement of Diaspora in various fields such as agriculture, health care, education, ICT, and the food industry in Nigeria.
Acknowledging the huge contribution the Diaspora have made to Nigeria’s economy, the President said:
‘‘In every field of human endeavour, be it the creative industries, sports, health, academia, Nigerians in the diaspora have thrived and leveraged on their skills to raise our country’s profile higher, economically, socially, technologically and culturally.
‘‘It is for these reasons that this Government established the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to facilitate and support your engagement with our country for a win-win outcome in our effort to keep Nigerians united at home and abroad.
‘‘You must continue to be our ambassadors-at-large in your comportment, actions and character.
‘‘You must excel and be the best in all your endeavours. While here, you must also not forget home as you are the example we want to project to the rest of the world.’’
The Nigerian leader assured the meeting coordinated by Chairman NIDCOM, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa that the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to catalyse development in various fields of the economy.
He also encouraged them to key into the programmes of NiDCOM, so as to contribute to initiatives such as the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Trust Fund.
Buhari received a presentation from a Nigerian Professional footballer based in Lisbon, Saviour Godwin and Chima Akas and their agent Adelaja Abraham.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Ambassador to Portugal, Alex Enan Kefas, told President Buhari that records indicate that there are some 3,000 Nigerians living in the country, who are generally well behaved and living peacefully among themselves and the host authorities.
The Ambassador informed the President of the recent arrest and detention of about thirteen Nigerians for alleged offences of money laundering and cybercrime.
He explained that the Embassy conducted a consular visit to the prison which revealed that the arrests were ‘‘disproportionate and unjust’’ as many of them were innocent of the allegations.
He said the Mission is trying its best to ensure the release of the innocent to enable them reunite with their families.