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Chief Executive Officer of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, has tweeted the green-white-green Nigerian flag as the West African country marked its 2021 Democracy Day.

Dorsey’s tweet, which was posted hours to the ongoing nationwide protests in Nigeria, has since attracted thousands of retweets.

Many tweeps including known faces such as @HenshawKate and @mrfestusogun have since hailed the co-founder of the micro-blogging platform for showing solidarity with Nigerian citizens amid the struggle for good governance, a better economy and an end to the security challenges plaguing over 200 million people living in Nigeria.

The Twitter CEO has not been in the good books of the Nigerian government since last October over an allegation that he was complicit in the promotion of the #EndSARS protests that ended in the destruction of lives and billions of property in Nigeria.

Last week, the regime of the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), suspended Twitter, citing the “persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence”. The Federal Government’s action followed a deletion of a controversial civil war post by the President.

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said this on NTA’s ‘Good Morning Nigeria’ programme.

He added, “The EU has recommended the same thing and Britain only on Wednesday spoke about a law that would regulate the social media. This is why I say they are being hypocritical. Like I said, I don’t like commenting on issues that have to do with relations with Nigeria and other countries but clearly speaking, they are being less than honest.”

Mohammed added, “We have seen so many foreign missions come up to condemn the action of Nigeria. Nigerians, please, make a distinction between countries that are trying to protect their economic and commercial interests from those countries that genuinely love you and talking about freedom of speech and don’t forget for one minute that it is because there is a country called Nigeria that there is freedom of speech.”

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A statement by Special Adviser to Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina, said the interview session, which is expected to be on air from about 8:30pm, would be revealing.

” President Muhammadu Buhari grants Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) an exclusive interview, from 8.30 pm, Friday, June 11, 2021.

“It promises to be revealing and educating. Kindly keep a date,” the statement said.

TheNation

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The US said this in an advisory titled, ‘Demonstration Alert: US Mission Nigeria (June 11, 2021) – Nationwide Protests on Democracy Day.’

It said it is likely that the protests will take place at the Unity Fountain, Abuja; and Lekki tollgate plaza and Gani Fawehinmi Park in Lagos.

The embassy advised American citizens to keep a low profile and avoid the areas where the protests will hold.

The advisory read in part, “Several groups have announced their intentions to protest nationwide on June 12, Democracy Day. Police presence and response can be expected nationwide, including in Abuja where government events are scheduled to celebrate the national holiday and in Lagos where simultaneous protests are planned.

” The likely locations for the protests in Abuja will be at Unity Fountain (Hilton Hotel area), Wuse, Berger Roundabout, Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Airport Road, and British Circle. In Lagos, the likely locations for protests will be Lekki Toll Gate and Gani Fawehinmi Park. Calls for the protests suggest they may begin as early as 7am.

“Actions to Take: Avoid the areas of the demonstrations. Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests. Monitor local media for updates. Keep a low profile.”

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The Lagos State Police Command, in a statement by its spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also urged Lagosians to disregard the sit-at-home order called by certain groups, adding that security agencies have made necessary arrangement to maintain law and order across the state

The statement was titled, ‘June 12: We Are Not Aware Of Any Planned Protest In Lagos—Police’.

It read, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to state clearly that it is not aware of any planned protest in Lagos State to commemorate the 2021 Democracy Day on Saturday, 12th June, 2021.

” In this regard, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, therefore appeals to members of the public to disregard any sit-at-home order called by certain groups which is being circulated in the social media and go about their lawful businesses as the police and other security agencies have made necessary arrangement to maintain law and order across the state.”

Adejobi added that Odumosu on Friday, “formed special Squads to go after traffic robbers who have been terrorising innocent Lagosians and get the state rid of such miscreants”.

“CP Hakeem Odumosu equally released some crime fighting equipment and modern communication gadgets to the Squads for efficiency and better service delivery as some of the identified areas like Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Cele, Ijora, Ojota/7up, Mike 12, Surulere etc, must be cleared of miscreants and traffic robbers with immediate effect.

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Lawan stated this at a news briefing in Abuja to mark his administration’s second year in office.

He said the Senate was convinced that the Federal Government and Twitter would eventually resolve their difference.

He said, “The Honorable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has informed Nigerians that the government is talking with Twitter to resolve this matter.

“Our belief is that Nigeria needs Twitter just as much as Twitter needs Nigeria.

“We believe that the matter between Twitter and the Federal Government of Nigeria will be resolved.

“But beyond that, I’m an optimist, I believe all of us will have learnt our lessons,” he said

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the appointment in a statement issued in Abuja .

He said Ilelah’s appointment “is for a tenure of five years in the first instance.”

Ilelah replaces erstwhile DG, Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, amid a Twitter ban issued by the Federal Government.

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The US government’s position was contained in a press statement by the spokesperson of the US Department of State, Ned Price.

It advised the Federal Government to respect the right of its citizens to freedom of expression by reversing the suspension.

The statement read, “The United States condemns the ongoing suspension of Twitter by the Nigerian government and subsequent threats to arrest and prosecute Nigerians who use Twitter.

” Freedom of expression and access to information both online and offline are foundational to prosperous and secure democratic societies.

“We support Nigeria as it works towards unity, peace, and prosperity.  As its partner, we call on the government to respect its citizens’ right to freedom of expression by reversing this suspension.”

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