*Mohammed Idris, Minister for Information and National Orientation, announces the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has awarded the hosting rights of its Media and Information Literacy Institute to Nigeria

*Institute to address global challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech — Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO Assistant Director-General

Gbenga Kayode | 绿帽献妻

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the release of funds required for the immediate operationalisation of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute, in Nigeria.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Information and National Orientation, announced the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), has awarded the hosting rights Nigeria.

Idris stated this Thursday, November 28, 2024, in Paris, France, during a meeting with Dr. Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, on the sidelines of President Tinubu鈥檚 State Visit to the European country.

Rabiu Ibrahim, Special Assistant (Media) to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, stated Alhaji Idris said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been very supportive of the take-off process, and has approved the release of all funds required for the immediate operationalisation of the Institute, which will be located in the Federal Capital Territory.”

Recalling his previous meeting with Dr. Jelassi, in 2023, the Minister conveyed the West African country’s gratitude to UNESCO for the honour of hosting a Category 2 MIL Institute, the only one of its kind in the world.

In his response, Dr. Jelassi expressed enthusiasm for the take-off of the Institute in Nigeria.

The UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information emphasised the relevance of the Institute in addressing the global challenges of misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech.

The Federal Government also stated that he highlighted the importance of fostering a safer and more reliable Internet, which aligns with UNESCO鈥檚 key priorities.

Dr. Jelassi explained the goal of UNESCO鈥檚 new Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms is to promote critical thinking and platform transparency, whilst also safeguarding freedom of expression.

The Assistant Director-General as well informed Minister Idris about the UNESCO MIL Cities initiative.

The government noted the UNESCO MIL Cities initiative seeks to integrate and embed the concept of Media and Information Literacy into the design and daily operations of cities around the world, including transport systems, community activities, culture, billboards, and so on.

The Minister, therefore, welcomed the initiative and pledged to ensure that Nigeria takes prompt advantage of it, and presents a city that will be among the world’s inaugural set of MIL Cities.

The statement noted discussions also touched on UNESCO鈥檚 new Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms, published in 2023 following a multi-stakeholder consultation that assembled over 10,000 submissions from 134 countries.

Dr. Jelassi presented copies of the document to Idris.

The Minister for Information and National Orientation assured him, that Nigeria would work with all relevant stakeholders to domesticate the guidelines and ensure a safer and more responsible internet for all Nigerians.

Dr. Hajo Sani, OON, Nigeria鈥檚 Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, accompanied Minister Idris to the meeting held at the UNESCO Headquarters, the statement added.

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