Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa has called for stronger policies and collective action to guide the moral development of young people in the digital era.

The governor made the call in a speech on Saturday in Kaduna at a Ramadan lecture jointly organised by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Voice of Nigeria (VON).

He emphasised the growing influence of technology and social media on youths behaviour and societal values.

According to him, digital technology presents vast opportunities for education, innovation and social engagement but also exposes young people to harmful content and negative influences.

The governor said the situation made it imperative to promote digital citizenship education and provide moral guidance to help youths navigate online spaces responsibly.

He stated that many countries had adopted policies to regulate children’s access to social media, stressing the need for stakeholders to develop similar frameworks to protect young users.

The governor also urged media practitioners, educators and parents to work together to instil strong ethical values and responsible online behaviour among young people.

He highlighted ongoing efforts by his administration to collaborate with relevant agencies to train youths in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, blockchain and technology outsourcing.

According to him, the government is also planning programmes aimed at promoting social orientation, discipline and positive values among youths.

He commended the organisers for sustaining the annual lecture platform, describing it as a vital forum for addressing moral, ethical and social issues affecting society over the past two decades.

Similarly, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State urged Nigerians to use the Ramadan period to promote unity, moral values and responsible use of digital technology.

The governor also urged the citizens to continue praying for national leaders amid prevailing security and socio-economic challenges, emphasising the importance of unity and tolerance.

Represented by the director-general, Bureau for Interfaith Affairs, Tahir Umar, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting religious education and initiatives that promote peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding.

The director-general of NTA, Salihu Abdulhamid, appreciated the guests for contributing to the this year’s lecture, saying that they were committed to delivering valuable, accurate, and timely 

information that promoted national unity.

(NAN)