Wife of the President Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari said the incessant spread of fake news has the potentials to plunge the country in trouble.
Speaking to journalists Sunday when she returned to the country via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja after a long vacation, the First Lady said fake news does no one any good.
She stressed the need for Nigerians to desist from spreading news that are not accurate from credible sources.
He also called on the relevant institutions to take drastic actions to stem the spread of fake news in the country, especially on social media.arrival back in the country around 4.30am Nigerian time on a British Airways flight.
Stressing that fake news does no one any good, Mrs. Buhari urged relevant stakeholders to make efforts to stem the act.
”The genesis of this fake news started when my husband fell sick and perpetrators of this act were showing fake Ambulance, Hospital and dead body suggesting that my husband is dead.
”That time, I received so many calls from other first ladies and Presidents of other countries to confirm; so I called the attention of NCC, NBC and the National Orientation Agency. Fake news will lead this country to something else if actions are not taken with immediate effect,” she said.
On why she was away for so long, the First Lady said: “It has been a tradition for us. For like 20 to 27 years now, if our children are on holiday, we used to spend holiday with them.
”I never abandon my children and last year, I went to Spain and spent two months with Zahra when she gave birth.
”So, the same this year’s holiday in U.K, I fell sick; so, I stayed back to see a doctor and the doctor advised me to stay back to attend to my health.
”From the U.K, I travelled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and returned to England on doctor’s advice and they also advised that I should slow down my activities.”She thanked her husband and all Nigerians for their support and encouragement, saying she was ready to continue her work with women and children.
Present at the airport to receive her were the First lady of Kogi state, Mrs Rasheedat Bello; Wife of former governor of Nasarawa state, Mrs Mairo Al-Makura; wife of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mrs Ekaetae Unoma Godswill Akpabio; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Dr Hajo Sani; and the chairperson of National Centre for Women Development, Mrs Joy Gene Nunieh, among others.
