The National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Akwa Ibom has urged citizens to ensure the responsible use of social media to disseminate credible information.

The NOA director in Akwa Ibom, Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, made the call at a public sensitisation campaign on Friday in Uyo.

Mr Mkpoutom said that although social media had empowered citizens to play roles in the information process, its abuse and misuse should be discouraged.

“Any form of abuse or misuse of social media can lead to a significant threat to peace and unity in society.

“Social media is a powerful tool for development, but when abused, it becomes a weapon of mass deception and division,” he said.

The NOA official stated that the spread of false information could cause panic and that hate speech had divided several families.

He urged members of the public to always cross-check information from credible sources before posting on social media.

“We should refrain from making comments that incite violence. We should not encourage ethnicity-based attacks or religious intolerance.

“To build the society of our dreams, we must be mindful of what we click, like and share on social media,” he said.

Mr Mkpoutom said that social media should be used to promote Nigeria’s rich culture and to hold public officers to account.

He said that the agency would take the sensitisation campaign to schools, places of worship, markets, and other venues, using radio programmes and town hall meetings.

Mr Mkpoutom urged parents and guardians to monitor their children’s online activities to prevent abuse and misuse of social media platforms.

(NAN)