The NNPCL emphasized that it is not currently conducting any recruitment activities.

This statement was shared on the company’s official social media handle.

The NNPCL has previously issued similar warnings regarding fraudulent recruitment claims in August 2017, October 2021, and December 2021.

The NNPC reiterated its commitment to transparency in its recruitment processes, stating that any future recruitment exercises would be officially announced on its website and official social media platforms.

In a recent address during the 10th edition of a media training event in Umuahia, organized by Vision Africa Radio station, Mallam Shehu cautioned broadcast stations against relying on social media for news sources and subsequent dissemination.

He stressed that broadcasting unverified news is unacceptable and cautioned that severe penalties would be imposed on stations that violate broadcast laws outlined in Section 311 of NBC codes.

The NBC DG emphasized that the regulatory body will not tolerate injurious or offensive messages, emphasizing the importance of credible, fair, and balanced reporting.

Expressing concern, he highlighted the growing trend of journalists and broadcast station personnel relying on information obtained from social media platforms. He warned that any station allowing its platform to be used for inciting hate speech would face heavy sanctions.

Mallam Shehu underscored the responsibility of broadcasters to refrain from utilizing social media as a source of news due to the inherent lack of reliability and credibility.

He urged broadcasters to exercise caution, stating that they must not become a vehicle for undermining Nigeria’s stability.

NBC will take appropriate action against any station that jeopardizes the nation’s interests.

Bishop Sunday Ndukwo Onuoha, President of Vision Africa, highlighted the importance of the training in an evolving media landscape.

He stressed that equipping journalists and media practitioners with the necessary tools to promote peace, unity, professionalism, and Nigeria’s democratic experience was the primary objective.

Bishop Onuoha appealed to media practitioners in Nigeria to consistently apply professionalism in gathering and disseminating information to prevent harm to the nation’s peace and unity.

Foreign and Nigerian speakers at the event provided participants with insights into broadcasting techniques, social media content, employment opportunities in the media industry, and the imperative of avoiding unethical and inflammatory content.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made this known at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.

“The minister said the suspension of the platform last year was due to the penchant by some elements to use it to destabilise Nigeria via fake news, disinformation and hate speech.

Mohammed warned that the government does not intend to ban any media from performing its duties, but would also not allow any platform to be used to plunge the country into anarchy.

The minister said; “Many have called to ask us what will become of our agreement with Twitter, in view of the change in its ownership.

”Many have asked for our reaction,j following reports that there has been a spike in fake news, disinformation and hate speech since the micro-blogging site changed ownership. Many have even asked us if another ban is in the offing?

“Let me say this: We are closely monitoring the evolving developments at Twitter. It has never been our intention to ban any social media platform or stifle free speech. Not at all.”

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the Federal Government will not sit by and allow any platform whatsoever to throw our nation into crisis.

The government however, noted that it will continue to monitor developments around microblogging platform, Twitter, following its takeover by a new owner.

The Minister said the suspension of the platform last year was due to the penchant by some elements to use it to destabilise Nigeria via fake news, disinformation and hate speech.

Mohammed warned that the government does not intend to ban any media from performing its duties, it would also not allow any platform to be used to plunge the country into anarchy.

The minister said, ” Many have called to ask us what will become of our agreement with Twitter in view of the change in its ownership. Many have asked for our reaction following reports that there has been a spike in fake news, disinformation and hate speech since the micro-blogging site changed ownership. Many have even asked us if another ban is in the offing?

“Let me say this: We are closely monitoring the evolving developments at Twitter. It has never been our intention to ban any social media platform or stifle free speech. Not at all. What happened in the case of Twitter is well known to all. Twitter became a platform of choice for those who want to destabilize Nigeria, using fake news, disinformation and hate speech.

“No nation will allow any social media platform to plunge it into anarchy. Definitely not Nigeria. But we have continued to engage positively with the different social media platforms, including Facebook, Google (owners of YouTube) and Twitter.

“We have no intention of banning any social media platform again. But we will also not sit by and allow any platform whatsoever to throw our nation into crisis.”

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made his concern known during the welcome session of the global media and information literacy week organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

The minister noted the need for individuals to be adequately equipped with enough knowledge to manage the information at their disposal.

Mohammed said, “The theme of this year’s Global MIL week, which is ‘Nurturing Trust: A Media and Information Literacy Imperative’ is not only apt but also timely as our world and its leaders contend with the challenge of identifying what is true and what is false, in view of the use of media and information.

“As I ponder on the state of our world and the enormous challenge it faces, especially with the unregulated use of social media and other digital platforms, I see the urgent need for every person to be equipped with the ability to critically evaluate and wisely use information at their disposal.”

Speaking further, Mohammed said, “I am optimistic that, starting from the parallel sessions which commence immediately to the last plenary session on Friday morning, contributions and questions will all be geared towards finding the linkages to building trust among our societies and individuals through the use of media and information literacy.

“As I urge you all to give this your best attention, knowing that the world awaits the outcome of this global MIL week, I warmly welcome you, once again, to Nigeria. I encourage you all to discover Abuja and enjoy your stay”.

INEC stated this just as it cautioned youth that the commission does not conduct an election on social media neither do they count ballots on Twitter or Instagram.

The commission also expressed worry over the 20 million permanent voters’ cards still lying unclaimed in its vault, while decrying the poor participation of citizens in the ongoing continuous voters’ registration exercise.

INEC’s Deputy Director, Voter Education, Mrs Mary Nkem, stated this at the launch of the PVC Bus Drive project, organised by a non-governmental organisation, the Advocacy for Civic Engagement, in Abuja on Wednesday.

She, therefore, urged Nigerians, especially the youth demography to be actively involved in the process of electing new leaders that will effect true change and move the country forward.

The Commission said, “This CVR exercise began on the 30th of June, 2021, but we have discovered that between that time and a few weeks ago, the turnout has been relatively low.

“If the youths in this country would come out en masse to cast their votes, we will no longer be recording 15 or 20 percent voter turnout in our elections, because we know that the population of the youths alone can make a difference.

“The youths no longer visit the social media, they basically live there today. Therefore, when you want to reach out to them, you must go to where you will meet them – social media.

“However, I will like to say that INEC does not conduct an election on social media neither do we count ballots on Twitter or Instagram.

“Our ballots are counted in the ballot box. It is only the ballot paper that enters into the ballot box that the Commission counts.

“So, what does that mean? It means that on election day people must go out to cast their votes. For you to be able to do so, you must be a registered voter and in possession of a PVC.”

The government in a circular, titled ‘Unauthorised circulation of official documents/information on social media’ marked HCSF/3065/Vol.1 /94, disclosed that any officials caught doing so will be dismissed.

The circular was signed by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folasade Yemi-Esan.

Yemi-Esan said her office would be relying on the provisions of the Public Service Rules 030401 and 030402 in dismissing those who continue in what she described as the “reckless action” and “unwholesome practice.”

The circular read, “The attention of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation has been drawn to the incessant unauthorised disclosure of official documents/information on social media platforms.

“The unwholesome practice involves posting/reposting of secret, confidential and classified government correspondences, policy drafts, minutes, notes, memos, etc., on social media.

“This reckless action is tantamount to a breach of the Oath of Secrecy public servants swore to, and a serious misconduct which may lead to dismissal from the service, as provided in the Public Service Rules 030401 and 030402.

“Henceforth, any officer caught posting/reporting government documents on social media and other platforms without authorisation would be severelv disciplined in accordance with the provisions of the PSR.

“This circular, therefore, reinforces the earlier circular on the subject, Ref. No/ HCSF/109/S.l/120 dated May 22, 2020 and other extant regulations prohibiting unauthorised publishing of official documents.

“Permanent Secretaries and Heads/Chief Executive Officers of extra-ministerial departments are to bring the content of this circular to all staff for compliance.”

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this during  an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to him, the bills concerning the Nigerian Press Council and the National Broadcasting Commission were private member bills sponsored by a lawmaker in the National Assembly.

“First, let me say how disappointed I am that those who have been berating me on these bills have been doing so on a false premise that the Federal Government had sponsored bills to stifle the press.

“This is a classic case of misinformation because the Federal Government did not sponsor any bill to gag the press.

“It baffles me that those who rushed to the media to slam the government didn’t even try to verify the facts,’’ he said.

The minister further stated that the National Assembly member who sponsored the bills had done nothing wrong. He said the legislator was only doing what he was elected to do.

“I insist that the bills were not sponsored by the Federal Government.

“I was invited, as the Minister of Information and Culture, to make my contributions, just like many other stakeholders at the public hearing.

“It was an opportunity for stakeholders to make their input into the bills.

“I attended and made my contributions,’’ he added.

Mohammed said those falsely accusing the Federal Government and misinforming the public on the bills had a chance to make their contributions during the public hearing.

He said rather than show up at the National Assembly’s sponsored public hearing on the bills, they chose to play to the gallery.

The Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) Executive Director, Irene Sewankambo, in a letter ordered telecommunication companies to “immediately suspend any access and use” of social media and online messaging platforms.

The action was believed to be a retaliation for Facebook deleting pro-government accounts “trying to manipulate” public debate before the polls.

Banned platforms include Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, Signal and Viber.

The leading opposition candidate, Bobi Wine today said his home was raided.

“Last night, the military yet again arrested so many friends and comrades; two days to the election! Others are living as fugitives!”, tweeted the popular singer, real name Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

The vote will come after one of the bloodiest campaigns in years, as veteran leader Yoweri Museveni seeks a sixth term against popstar-turned-MP Bobi Wine, who has managed to fire up a youthful population that has mostly known only one president.

Wine, who has spent most of the campaign in a bulletproof vest and combat helmet facing teargas, bullets and numerous arrests, on Tuesday urged his supporters to “protect” the election from rigging.

Museveni, 76, has been in power since 1986.

He added that the government would only work with stakeholders to regulate social media.

The Minister made this known at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, where he observed that social media was used wrongly to cause mayhem in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest.