***Akpabo shields him from sensitive questions at ministerial screening
The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategies who was also nominated as ministerial nominee, Mr Dele Alake has indicated that while he is an advocate of the freedom of the press, he will not support absolute freedom without responsibility.
This was just as President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Wednesday, shielded him from responding to some sensitive and critical questions by some senators.
Alake who appeared before the Senate on Wednesday in continuation of the ongoing screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees categorically stated that under his watch as Information Minister, if so appointed, Nigerian press will be regulated to avoid abuse and distability.
He told the senators that he would ensure that the government strengthened the rule of law and adequately regulated the media.
Alake said that even though social media has advantages, its downside had become highly detrimental to a decent society like Nigeria.
He said regulations must be strengthened and tested to ensure that social media is not used in a manner that threatens the internal security of Nigeria.
His words: “The downside of social media is that it is detrimental to a good and decent society. What I would support is the strengthening of regulations. There are laws that guide our conduct in every area of human endeavour, but the application of these laws has been shut.
“Even victims of libel, aspersions, defamation and all kinds of negative things in the media, hesitate to also apply the law against the culprits. I will recommend the strengthening of our regulations and the applications of those laws. The laws must be tested so we can know the proficiency of those regulations.
“I will support anything that comes from this hallowed chamber that promotes that course of action. If there are laws, bills, and motions in line with this, please be sure of our full cooperation.”
Acknowledging that misapplication of social media could be detrimental to society, Alake said he would encourage the government to strictly apply laws regulating both the mainstream and social media.
He also said sanity can be achieved with a re- orientation of social values, ensuring executive obedience to legislative oversight, strict adherence to the rule of law, and separation of powers.
“Members of the executive must be sensitive to summons by the legislature to explain or answer questions on issues of national interest,” he added.
On what he will do to advance the tourism sector, he said he will recommend to President Tinubu to ensure good governance , adding that this will attract foreign investments in tourism into the nation’s many tourist centers.
“We do not need image laundering. Our domestic policy must be right.
However, the Senate President , Godswill Akpabio, protected the nominee on two occasions during the screening exercise.
First, efforts by the Minority Leader, Senator Simon Davou Mwadkwon, and the Minority Whip, Darlington Nwokocha , question Alake on a seeming intolerance to opposition parties view.
Nwadkwon referred him to his reaction on his social media to the opposition party’s comment by calling them “wild dogs.””” He was asked how he would manage such a situation as a public office holder without betraying political sentimental emotion.
Senator Adamu Aliero frowned at the rowdy reaction to the question, citing Order 55 to ask for protection for the Minority Leader.
But in a swift reaction, the Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, referred to section 12 of the same Order 55, which pointed out why a senator may be interrupted while speaking
Bamidele said the Minority Leader shouldn’t have asked Alake about what happened some months ago, adding that the issue the nominee reacted to wash political.
The Majority Leader also faulted Nwadkwon for not limiting his question to the issue of discussion on the floor of the Senate. He said the Minority Leader “has brought politics into the matter.
Also the Darlington Nwokocha was faulted for asking Alake to recite the second stanza of the national anthem.
Akpabio said that though any adult in Nigeria should be able to recite the national anthem, nominees are not mandatory and requested to recite the national anthem during screening.
Thereafter, the Senate President, before letting Alake off the hook, said, “I have no doubt you can handle the portfolio.We are delighted with your response to questions asked you. You can take a bow and leave this hallowed chamber.
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Date: Wed, 2 Aug 2023 18:14:54 +0100
Subject: Alake seeks stiffer regulations for social media ***Akpabo shields him from sensitive questions at ministerial screening
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