The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, has called on all Nigerians "to take advantage of the social media platforms to exchange information and participate in the political, social and economic processes of our country in ways that promote peace and enable us to build a more united and prosperous nation".
Danbatta stated this today in Lagos through Tony Ojobo, NCC's Director of Public Affairs, who represented him at the maiden edition of CKN News Annual Public Lecture titled: The Role of the Social Media in the Socio-Economic and Political Development of Nigeria.
Danbatta who delivered the keynote address at the event said NCC is technologically neutral in its regulatory role and will not regulate social media use, but The Cybercrimes Act 2015 already defines offences associated with social media use and stipulates punishments for breaches. He therefore advised all citizens to be mindful of the law in their use of social media networks.
The EVC's voice was amplified by the Guest Lecturer, HE, Rt. Honourable Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, who recalled numerous anecdotal evidences using personal examples to outline the bad side of the social media use in Nigeria, even as Amaechi praised experienced journalists who now run online media platforms for playing by the rules.
At the highly participatory event, also attended by Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Commission, Danbatta told the audience that NCC has auctioned several data frequencies and re-farmed others to ensure that Nigerians continue to have access to data to participate actively in the digital economy and sustain the exponential social, economic and political gains that the social media and the Internet has facilitated for our society.
Danbatta thus promised that the Management of NCC will continue to engage all stakeholders in the telecom industry - central among which is the consumer - in order to improve the quality of regulation by NCC and to enhance the quality of consumer experience.