Africa News of Monday, 7 June 2021

Source: mynigeria.com

Nigeria govt summons US, UK, and EU envoys over Twitter ban comments

Muhammadu Buhari,  President of Nigeria Muhammadu Buhari, President of Nigeria

The federal government has summoned the envoys of US, UK, Canada, and the European Union (EU) over their comments on the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.

In a joint statement, the missions had expressed disappointment in the government’s decision to suspend the use of Twitter in the country.

The federal government announced the suspension of Twitter in the country on Friday, June 4, 2021.

The suspension came after a controversial tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari was taken down by the social media platform.

In a statement on Monday, Kimiebi Ebienfa, an official of the crisis monitoring and public communications division, ministry of foreign affairs, said the meeting will be held at 12:00 noon.

“I am directed to inform that following the recent ban on Twitter by the Federal Government and Press Statement issued by some Heads of Diplomatic Missions Accredited to Nigeria on the subject matter, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency, Geoffrey Onyeama has invited the affected Ambassadors to a meeting today at 12 noon,” Ebienfa said in a notice.

“The venue is minister’s conference room, 8th floor.”

Although Twitter has been suspended, Nigerians have been able to gain access to the platform through virtual private network (VPN).