The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs.
Beware of Social Media Danger, Oyo-Ita Warns Parents
has admonished parents to be mindful of ways and manners their children socialise through the social media, saying that the dangers have outweighed the benefits.
Oyo-Ita, who spoke in Lagos at the 2018 Commonwealth Day celebration organised by Queen’s College, said social media has turned to tool used in committing different atrocity of which girls are the major victims.
She pointed out that parents need to be extra vigilant and diplomatic in guiding their children on the right part. “Almost on a daily basis, we hear frightening stories of girls being kidnapped, raped, drugged, sexually abused, among others. When such acts are investigated, it turns out to be someone they met on social media.
“In many occasions they lied to them that once they joined an online club, they will be earning money and few months later they will send an invitation to them to come to Europe for holiday, the little girl will lie to parent and go.
“Slavery has come back to Africa, not all Nigerians you see being brought back from Libya went with their two legs, some of them were young girls who were kidnapped, drugged, put in cargo and sent to Europe for prostitution.â€
Oyo-Ita noted that the social media has some good parts, but the negative has outweighed the good parts, “one of such negative aspects is that it doesn’t really allow people to make intimate friends.â€
She expressed concern over the promotion of sectionalism in different quarters of the country, saying that such attitude needs to be discouraged.
“When we were growing up, there was nothing like sectionalism, we don’t really know the state people came from, although you can know whether the person is Yoruba, Hausa or Igbo. It is so sad the way Nigeria has gone, in a situation whereby the moment you say anything the first thing people ask is where is he or she from.
“In our days Muslims enjoy Christmas with Christians, and also enjoy Salah celebration with them. Things have changed but we need to bring back the culture of unity. Unity schools and NYSC are good initiatives and more of such need to be encourage.
Oyo-Ita, who graduated from Queen’s College in 1979, urged the students to be God fearing, disciplined, neat, well domesticated, excellent in their chosen career path, wonderful mothers and wives, and pillars of strength to family and the nation at large.
“For the teachers, I am here to assure you that your reward is not only in heaven, but also on this earth. Reward is not just material and physical cash; reward is in so many dimensions which include good health, peace of mind, joy, among other things.â€
