The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has described media literacy as a vaccine against misinformation, urging parents to equip their children with digital literacy.
Idris said this in Kaduna on Saturday at the 20th Annual Ramadan Lecture, themed ‘Digital Technology and the Moral Future of the Youth’.
He said, “Disinformation has become a political warfare, endorsing trust and deepening suspicion.
“Our youth raised in an environment where information is abundant but wisdom is scarce. Boundaries between public and private spaces have actually collapsed.
“They navigate the landscape in search of validation.
“Here, Islam speaks to the urgent relevance. Allah commands us that all you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate lest you harm any people out of ignorance and become regretful.”
According to the minister, Nigeria is the first host of the first ever Media and Information Literacy Centre to be hosted by any country in the world.
Idris said, “And it’s going to be unveiled by the end of March by President Bola Tinubu, and the Director General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
“This is the first centre anywhere in the world where people can be taught how to navigate this digital truth.
“Because it’s not just enough for you to be literate, it is important that you are digitally literate.
“And this will help our young men and women to navigate this complex way of digital media or new media.”
The minister said the theme of the lecture addressed the most powerful force shaping human consciousness.
“We stand at the intersection of rapid technological change and timeless moral truth. Our challenge is navigating this, guided by the Quran and the Sunnah, which remains sufficient for every generation.”
According to Idris, the Holy Quran reminds all of us of the responsibility placed upon the young people.
He added, “By the way, Nigeria is predominantly that of young people. About 70 per cent of our population is under the age of 35.
“So, when any lecture is targeted at this youth, you will understand that there is, of course, a need for them to have this moral guidance.
“When Allah speaks of the Companions of the Cave, He describes them as young men who believe in their Lord. And He includes them in guidance.”
According to him, youthfulness is not nonsense for moral freedom, but it is an opportunity for moral greatness. Islam views the young as fully accountable and trusted with shaping the world.
“Our tradition, therefore, teaches that youth is no exemption from duty. Nigeria is placed with one of the youngest populations on earth. Like I said earlier, nearly 70 percent under the age of 35.
“This represents an endowment of energy and of potential. The question is whether we equip and guide them to discharge this responsibility responsibly.
