#thursdaytalks Is “freedom Of Speech” In Danger In Nigeria?

#ThursdayTalks is a monthly conversation with thought leaders, change agents and active citizens with a specific focus on issues of good governance, citizen representation, human rights and effective service delivery in Nigeria. It is organised by EiE Nigeria and BudgIT, with full media support from The Cable Nigeria.

This month’s edition will focus on the health of Nigeria’s Democracy, as highlighted in Chapter IV, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which guarantees civil and political rights, including the right to life, personal liberty, fair trial, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

It is no gainsaying that human rights cum freedom of speech have been consistently attacked by the Nigerian government, judging by the trajectories from the #NGOBill, #SOCIAL MEDIA BILL, #HATESPEECH, #NBCRULES and the #TwitterBan.

We believe that this month’s conversation will amplify our voices and demands from the government to lift the Twitter Ban and censorships targeted towards freedom of speech and right of expression.

Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director, Global Rights, Osai Ojigho, Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, and Nelson Olanipekun, Executive Director, Citizens Gavel will be leading this vital conversation, alongside other key participants.

While speaking on his expectations for this edition, Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director at Paradigm Initiative, enjoined both the citizens and civil society organisations to lend their voices in the face of injustice and without the fear of prosecution.

We encourage every active citizen to participate in this discourse. To join the conversation, register via: bit.ly/TTalksJune.

Signed
Iyanu Fatoba
Communications Associate, BudgIT.