Toks Asher Young has reacted to the continued indefinite suspension of Twitter in Nigeria, by the federal government.
Social media application Twitter found itself on the wrong side of the Nigerian government when it was suspended indefinitely by the Nigerian government after the removal of a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari sounding off on the country’s troubled security situation.
Nigeria’s Minister of information, Lai Mohammed, had on Friday, 4th of June, 2021 announced the suspension of the bird social media app, Twitter citing the “persistent use of the platform for activities that undermine the security of the country and its corporate existence”. The suspension has since elicited a wave of reactions from entertainers, public figures and prominent personalities in Nigeria and the diaspora who make use of the social media platform as a business, information & news gathering or creative tool.
Reacting to the development, Tochukwu, said the decision will mostly affect Nigeria and her citizens especially the youths and all who rely on the social media app for current and breaking news or to run their businesses. With its ban on Twitter, Nigeria joins China, Iran, and North Korea as countries that currently ban the use of the app for its citizens.
In his words; “Nigeria is losing millions of dollars economically in terms of new investment into its technology sector as well as the cost of blocking the social media app. It may also threaten Nigeria’s status as one of the best-performing African countries in attracting investment for technology start-up businesses.
The suspension has already created a market access gap for millions of small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) that use the platform to reach their customers. This could potentially complicate the challenges COVID-19 and other structural defects is already imposing on businesses.
According to NetBlocks, a watchdog organisation that monitors cyber-security and governance of the Internet, each hour of the social media gagging costs Nigeria about $250,000 (N102.5 million), bringing the daily loss to N2.5 billion.
Toks is of the opinion that the ban could further compound the security problems in the country as the platform is the only means via which some people get daily update on current and happening events. He pleaded with the government to reconsider the ban and rescind its decision. “This ban has shown that the government is out of touch with the plight of millennials and young people in and around the country m,” Young added.
Tochukwu Toks Umezulike aka ‘Toks Asher Young’ is an artiste manager, executive producer and entrepreneur. He is also an ECOWAS AMBASSADOR.
A firm believer in the investment opportunities, potential and talent available in Nigeria. He is the author of the book DEUCES: An Anthology of WORDS, RHYMES & POEMS.
