From Aliyu Muhammad, Kaduna
House of Representatives has said that, it is set to make laws that will tackle hate speech in the country especially on the social media.
This was stated by the Chairman of the House Committee on National Security and Intelligence, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji while addressing newsmen after a retreat organized for them by the Center for Information Technology Development and Mac Arthur Foundation in Kaduna.
He explained that this has become necessary in order to avoid the Ruanda and Kenyan experiences where hate speech on media had plunged the country into war.
Hon. Jaji also stated that the House of Reps will promulgate laws that will empower the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to fight the menace of hate speech on electronic media.
Earlier, during the session, Member representing Zaria/Kewaye Federal Constituency, Hon. Datti Babawo said, National Assembly members are the worst victims of hate speeches, hence the need for them to stamp out the menace.
According to Babawo, many federal legislators have faced attacks at their constituencies as result of hate speeches against them in social, electronic and print media as well.
“Just this morning, I read on the social media that, a Senator in the Federal Republic of Nigeria earns N3 billion annually. Some even say a member of the National Assembly earns more than President Donald Trump of the United State of America.
“The annoying part of it is that, Civil Society Organizations spread such rumours without verifying them. So, this has caused anger among our constituents and many of our colleagues have been attacked as a result of that”, he said.
The retreat was organized to sensitize the National Assembly members to separate between hate speech and Nigerians’ right to freedom of expression.
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