Twitter Writes FG Over Suspension, Seeks Dialogue – Minister confirms
TECH DIGEST – The microblogging and social network platform, Twitter has formally written the federal government for dialogue on issues leading to the indefinite suspension of its operations in the country.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, confirmed this when he featured on “Politics Nationwide,’’ a Radio Nigeria call-in programme monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Mohammed said: “I can confirm that Twitter has written the federal government that they are ready to talk. As we have always maintained, the door is not locked and we are open-minded but Twitter must work toward it.”
The minister maintained that the government’s position that it would not tolerate any platform that would be used to destabilise the country.
He added that among other conditions for Twitter to resume operation in Nigeria, there must be an agreement as to what contents it could post.
Read Also:
The minister said Twitter and other platforms must also register as a Nigerian company, obtain license from the National Broadcasting Commission(NBC) and be guided by the rules of the licensing as well as pay taxes.
According to the minister, regulation of social media platforms is becoming a global practice.
The Senate President Ahmad Lawan had previously spoken on the suspension of microblogging and social network platform, Twitter by the federal government.
Lawan explained that Nigeria and the social network platform need each other, calling for an amicable resolution of the feud with Twitter.
The Senate President disclosed this at a briefing in Abuja to mark the second anniversary of the 9th Senate today, Friday, June 11.
According to him, “Our belief is that Nigeria needs Twitter just as Twitter needs Nigeria. Our expectation is that we will be able to resolve this issue.
“But beyond that, I am optimistic and I believe that all of us would have learnt our lessons. ”He gave assurance that the nation would overcome its security challenges.
