Why Nigeria Must Regulate Internet, Social Media Usage – Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu

By Lawrence Nwimo, Awka.

Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu PhD has called for the regulation of the use of Internet and social media in Nigeria.

He said the regulation of the internet and other information and communication technologies will give room for a more serene Nigerian society.

Comrade Odogwu who frowned at the abuse of some of the internet platforms especially by youths, urged relevant authorities in the country to consider its regulations to bring sanity in the society.

Commemorating the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, WTISD, themed: “Digital technologies for Older Persons and Healthy Ageing”, Dr. Odogwu advised social media users to desist from causing troubles with it for the betterment of the nation in general.

The NUJ chairman urged practicing journalists to abide by the ethics of their profession as the watch dog of the society by shunning fake news and overheating the polity, which according to him, characterized many social media reports.

He implored telecommunication companies to strengthen their networks, be committed to better service delivery and stop unnecessary deductions from their customers as the dwindling nature of the economy is biting harder on them.

Speaking on the cooperate social responsibilities of all the telecommunication companies in Nigeria, Dr Odogwu lauded the numerous business opportunities and possibilities the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies have brought to nations, societies, and economies.

He, however, tasked government at all levels to ensure that all the telecommunication companies execute projects that are host community driven.

Ikengaonline reports that the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is celebrated annually on May seventeen to raise awareness about the opportunities and possibilities that the use of the Internet and other information and communication technologies, ICT, brings to nations, societies, and economies.

The day aims to spread awareness about the ways to bridge the digital divide.

Proclaimed by a United Nations General Assembly resolution, following the 2005 World Summit on the Information Society in Tunis, Telecommunications and ICTs have a great role to play in achieving healthier ageing, and help build smarter cities, combat age-based discrimination at the workplace, ensure financial inclusion of older persons and support caregivers.