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Microblogging giants Twitter has expressed readiness to help Nigerians have access to the platform despite ban by the Nigerian government. READ COVID-19: Self-medication can cause organ damage, FG warns Nigerians In a statement on Friday, Nigeria’s communications minister Lai Mohammed had announced the suspension, citing persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence as a reason for the suspension. But in reaction to the country’s decision, Twitter posted on its policy handle that they would work to restore access for all Nigerians. READ Navigating your way to greatness: How and why, by Adamu Tilde “We are deeply concerned by the blocking of Twitter in Nigeria. Access to the free and #OpenInternet is an essential human right in modern society. “We will work to restore access for all those in Nigeria who rely on Twitter to communicate and connect with the world. #KeepitOn,” the company posted on Saturday.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has directed for immediate prosecution of offenders of the Federal Government ban on Twitter operations in Nigeria. Malami directed the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to swing into action and commence in earnest the process of prosecution of violators of the Federal Government De-activation of opetations of Twitter in Nigeria. Malami directed the DPPF to liase with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, National Communication Communication (NCC) and other relevant government agencies to ensure the speedy prosecution of offenders without any further delay. Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu (Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice) 5th June, 2021

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), says the decision of the Federal Government to suspend Twitter shows that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has suspended Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution. Falana said this during a chat with The PUNCH shortly after the Federal Government announced that it had suspended Twitter indefinitely. The human rights lawyer argued that the suspension is also at variance with the Freedom of Information Act which seeks to expand information and access to it. The senior advocate said he was sure that Buhari’s regime would soon ban international news networks like CNN, BBC and Al Jazeera. Falana said, “This act has confirmed the suspension of Chapter IV of the constitution. Very soon, Nigerians will be restricted to NTA and the FRCN as the only source of information. Media like Channels TV and others have been fined for embarrassing the government and they may be proscribed soon. “The decision of the NBC to impose fines...

The Federal Government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, citing the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria's corporate existence. The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria. Segun Adeyemi Special Assistant To The President (Media) Office of the Minister of Information and Culture Abuja 4 June 2021

The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami has claimed that the policy compelling Nigerians to obtain a National Identification Number by the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has substantially reduced incidents of banditry and kidnapping. Pantami made the claim, in Abuja, on Thursday, while rendering account of his stewardship since assuming office, in 2019. He said, “When I was assigned to supervise the sector on 24, August 2019, unregistered, and partial registered sims were being used to perpetrate crime in the country. Nobody knew the total number of unregistered sims. “Within less than 15 days in the office, we have engaged the NCC as a regulator. We have directed them to carry audit exercise to enable them come up with unregistered and partial registered sims. They came with around 9.4 million which is enough to populate another country. It was the first time we didn’t know the total of unregistered sims in the country. “And...

The General Overseer of the Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has taken a swipe at the Federal Government over its reaction to the deletion of President Muhammadu Buhari's tweet considered to be 'genocidal'.  On Wednesday, Twitter deleted a part of a thread posted on Buhari's account, which many interpreted to be hate speech against Igbo people.  Apostle Suleman While defending its action, the tech company said the President’s tweet violated its rules. However, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed organised a press conference where he alleged that Twitter's mission in Nigeria is suspicious. The Minister accused Twitter of ignoring inciting tweets by the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and others, adding that Nigeria would not be fooled. “We have a country to rule and we will do so to the best of our ability. Twitter’s mission in Nigeria is very suspect, they have an agenda,” he said. But reactin...