Adodo Osewengie
President Muhammadu Buhari has lifted the ban on Twitter after the management of the social media platform has agreed to the terms of the Nigerian government as revealed by the Director-General, National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Kashifu Inuwa.
Twitter is to ensure it regulates the twits of its users tantamount to causing divisions and threatening the existence of the Nigerian democracy.
Inuwa on Wednesday in Abuja, noted that the ban placed on Twitter will officially be lifted by midnight on Wednesday, January 13.
In his statement to newsmen, he said, “Twitter has committed to establishing a legal entity in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2022.
“The legal entity will register with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
“The establishment of the entity is Twitter’s first step in demonstrating its long-term commitment to Nigeria.
“Twitter has agreed to appoint a designated country representative to interface with Nigerian authorities.
“Twitter has agreed to comply with applicable tax obligations on its operations under Nigerian law.
Read also: Asaba collapsed Building: Delta govt vows to prosecute culprits, sets up panel of inquiry
“Therefore, the FGN lifts the suspension of the Twitter operations in Nigeria from midnight of 13th January, 2022.
“Considering Twitter’s influence on our democracy, our economy and the very fabric of our corporate existence as a nation, our priority is to adapt, not ban Twitter.
“The FGN is committed to working with Twitter to do anything possible to help Nigerians align and navigate Twitter algorithmic design to realise its potentials while avoiding its perils,” the NITDA Boss added.
Nigerians could recall that due to the activities on the platform which the federal government considered harmful to the sovereignty of the Nation and threatens its national security and peaceful coexistence among its citizens, it officially suspended Twitter from operations on June 5, 2021.
As a follow-up, the federal government constituted a 20-man Technical Committee whose memberships were drawn from relevant government agencies and parastatals to create an all-encompassing framework consisting of legal, taxation and prohibition of inciteful twits according to the Nigeria laws.
Prior to this, the federal government had earlier assembled a seven-man reconciliation team comprising of top Ministers such as Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, to lead the negotiations with Twitter after suspending Twitter’s activities.
The NITDA boss noted that Twitter is ready to work with the Nigerian government and all relevant stakeholders to develop a Code of Conduct aimed to regulate its activities in line with best practices as operated in the developed western nations.
However, Inuwa advised Nigerians to be more civil and exhibit restraint from activities that threaten our peaceful cohesion, unity and democratic bond.
