In a recent speech commemorating Prof. Soyinka’s 90th birthday, former Information Minister Lai Mohammed shared his personal encounter with the devastating effects of disinformation.
Speaking to NAN, Mohammed recounted how, during a trip to Lagos in 2018, his wife woke him in the dead of night with an alarming accusation. She had seen posts on social media claiming the minister secretly held $1.3 billion in a foreign account.
Despite Mohammed’s desperate efforts to convince her with budget figures and economic calculations, his wife remained unconvinced. She was under immense pressure from friends hounding her for access to the supposed ill-gotten wealth.
The former minister described it as a “bombshell” that threatened to unravel his 40-year marriage. Only after hours of pleading was he able to persuade his wife of the falsehood’s absurdity. However, lingering doubts may still remain.
This revealing occurrence underscores how quickly fake news spreads and the toll it can take, even on close relationships. During his tenure, Mohammed’s team uncovered over 400 sites dedicated to slandering the Buhari administration with rumors.
The problem persists with manipulations targeting President Tinubu and obstructive efforts to undermine good governance.
Mohammed strongly argued that social media platforms must prioritize truth over profits. They should bear responsibility by monitoring harmful content and enabling robust regulatory frameworks. As public trust’s custodians, traditional media too must combat the scourge with decisive action.
This sobering story serves as a reminder that until all parties involved work together to promote a fact-based media environment, every person and relationship is susceptible to the dangers of misinformation.
