By Salma Abdulwaheed.

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support from MacArthur Foundation conducted a sensitization workshop on Hate Speech and Fake News to the students of School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

 

The spread of Hate Speech and Fake News have become an issue of concern in our society most especially on social media platforms. It is in this view that CITAD is implementing a project on Peace and Curbing Hate, Dangerous Speeches and Fake News both online and offline. CITAD found it very paramount to engage students of tertiary institutions which is called the ‘Campus Series’ to sensitize them about the negative impact of spreading such kind of information in the society.

The target audiences are the youth and also the majority on Social media platforms, they are task on the role they can play in curbing this menace.

The Sensitization workshop which was conducted at the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gwagwalada train the students on the tools on how to report hate and dangerous speech online and identifying fake pictures.

The essence of the sensitization is to shape the youth to be ambassadors of peace in their institutions, communities and associations.

At the sensitization workshop a paper was presented: Understanding Hate and Dangerous Speeches and Speed geeking Sessions: Using Technology to Combat Hate Speech via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and identifying fake pictures on Google which was facilitated by Salma Abdulwaheed and Kaltumi Abdulazeez.

The participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and comments. It was also discovered that most of the participants lack the technical knowledge on how to report Hate Speech online.

At the end of the workshop, the students pledge to use the knowledge they acquired effectively and also extend the training  to their colleagues, friends and families.

At the end of the workshop, the Vice Principal gave his vote of thanks. He appreciate the good work of CITAD for organizing an enlightening program and he said the students and staff present had  gained  wealth of  knowledge about hate speech. The workshop came at a time when the general election is fast approaching.

He further advice the students to stay out of violence or anything that will hinder the peace of the country.