… President Warns Citizens Against Weaponizing Misinformation
….Launches National Campaign To Promote Patriotism, Integrity
Daud Olatunji
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged Nigerians to become “ambassadors of truth” rather than instruments of misinformation, stressing the need for citizens to actively promote national progress, peace, and integrity.
Speaking at the official launch of the national campaign, “My Nigeria, My Responsibility”, themed Reigniting Patriotism through Responsible Citizenship and Leadership, the President, represented by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigerians must embrace the Citizens’ Charter of National Values, which underscores integrity, patriotism, diligence, tolerance, and excellence.
“Your responsibility is to own our story: be an ambassador of truth. In the digital age, do not weaponize misinformation. Highlight the progress, the innovation, the peace,” the President declared.
He added that patriotism is reflected in the taxes citizens pay, describing it as the “most concrete transaction of trust between a citizen and the state.”
Tinubu also hinted at the launch of the National Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute in February 2026, describing it as a “national toolkit” to empower Nigerians to discern truth, resist manipulation, and engage responsibly online.
“True patriotism is an active verb. It is the choice we make every day to be responsible for our nation’s story, its progress, and its image,” he said.
Keynote speaker, Prof. Umaru A. Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, described the campaign as more than a slogan, calling it a “civic faith” rooted in accountability, leadership, and thoughtful action.
He emphasized that while citizens are called to act responsibly, leaders must also earn public trust by prioritizing national interests, ensuring fairness, and strengthening institutions.
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, also spoke at the event, urging citizens to support government initiatives, pay taxes, and uphold the rule of law.
Earlier, the campaign convener and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Citizenship and Leadership, Hon. Nasir Bala Ja’oji, said the initiative was designed to awaken civic responsibility across all sectors of society.
“Nation-building is not the task of government alone but a collective obligation,” he said, adding that the campaign would engage communities, students, professionals, traditional institutions, and the private sector across all six geopolitical zones.
Ja’oji highlighted that the initiative aims to instill a culture of responsible citizenship, where every Nigerian recognizes that daily actions—how they speak, vote, treat public property, and lead—directly influence the nation’s future.
Concluding, he urged stakeholders to collaborate with the Presidency to drive a new national awakening, inspiring citizens to embrace active patriotism and responsible leadership.
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