The Northern Governors Forum, on Monday expressed support to ongoing efforts to regulate the social media, to check the spread of fake news in the country.
The Forum stated this in a communique issued by its Chairman and Governor of Plateau, Mr Simon Lalong, after its meeting in Kaduna with traditional rulers and other key stakeholders in the region.
“The meeting took note of the devastating effect of the uncontrolled social media in spreading fake news.
“Therefore, calls for major control mechanism and
censorship of the social media practice in Nigeria.”
The forum also expressed support for the reform of the police to strengthen its capacity.
“Forum appreciates the major reforms going on in the Police Force and pledges to support Mr. President on this course.
“The meeting resolves to support the Nigerian Police Force to serve the Country better and calls for the strengthening of trust between the people and the Police.”
The Northern Governors set up two committees to push for statutory roles for traditional rulers and another on engagement with youth and civil societies.
The committee on roles of traditional rulers is chaired by the Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage, with two representative from the National Assembly, one from each of the three zones, and a minister as members.
The Committee on Youth and Civil Societies has the
Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Bamalli as Chairman, with one representative of elders, youth, women, persons with disability as members from each of the three zones.
Others are Muslim and Christian Clerics, the Business Community and Police.
“These engagement Committees are to commence work immediately,” it said.
It appreciated the roles traditional rulers played in containing the menace of Endsars protests in the region, and collectively agreed that traditional rulers be given formal roles in the govemance architecture of the Country.
The meeting rejects and condemns the subversive acțions of the Endsars protest, and endorsed “the indivisibility, indissolubility and oneness of the Nation.”
It commended the National Assembly and the Presidency for being proactive in addressing the issues of Endsars protests across the country.
The Governors also called for amicable resolutions of ASSU strikes to enable students resume their studies.
They agreed to hold the meeting regularly and expand it to involve other critical stakeholders such as religious leaders, business community and youths leaders.
The meeting appreciated the role of religious leaders, such as the Ulamas, JNI and CAN for their positive interventions in resolving the Endsars conflicts.
It called for collective effort in addressing the lingering challenges of the region, such Almajiri system, insecurity, illiteracy and poverty.
The Forum also appreciated the youth in curtailing the spread of hooliganism, thuggery and other separatist
tendencies during the EndSARS protest.
“The meeting expressed concern over the low level involvement of relevant of stakeholders in the implementation programmes of Government and calls on the relevant Agencies to review implementation strategies to make for maximum impact and benefits.”
The meeting was attended by Senate President, Ahmad Lawal, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives,
Chief of Staff to the President, the Ministers of
Federal Capital Territory, and Information, Inspector
General of Police, Principal Officers of the National Assembly, and Chaimen of Northern States Traditional Rulers Councils led by the Sultan of Sokoto.
