Unrestrained use of social media and other digital platforms, according to Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, is causing significant issues on a worldwide scale.
At a session to welcome guests to the Global Media and Information Literacy Week happening in Abuja, the minister reaffirmed this position.
193 UNESCO member nations are participating both physically and digitally in the week-long event under the theme “Nurturing Trust: A Media and Information Literacy Imperative”.
The minister emphasised the urgent necessity for everyone to have the skills necessary to critically assess and utilise the information at their disposal in order to confront the global crisis.
As the world and its leaders struggle to distinguish between what is true and what is false in light of the usage of media and information, he claimed that the theme of the event was not only appropriate but also contemporary.
Mohammed expressed his optimism that the perspectives, ideas, and contributions of attendees at the sessions and plenary over the week-long event will lead to solutions being presented to the problems.
“Contributions and questions will all be geared toward finding the linkages to building trust among our societies and individuals through the use of media and Information literacy,” he said.
He welcomed everyone to the Youth Forum and feature Conference for the 11th annual Global Media and Information Literacy Week.
Mohammed further said that long after the event had concluded, the numerous meetings will serve as the foundation for an enduring bond.
Attending the welcoming session was Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director General for Communication and Information and Regional Director for West Africa, Mr. Dihitri Sanga.
The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Lydia Jafiya, and a few heads of parastatal organisations in the ministry’s information unit were also present.
