On Saturday, October 24, the Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hakeem Fahm, debunked the news that the state government ‘s website had been hacked.
In a statement, Fahm said that the information was wrong and the public should disregard it.
“The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to a publication by the Guardian Newspapers on Thursday, 22nd of October 2020, claiming that the Lagos State Government website was hacked.
“I wish to come out to clear the air on the issue. This information is not true. Our website was never hacked.
“Members of the public should always verify issues and get facts and figures right before dissemination.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I hereby confirm that the Lagos State website is up and running perfectly,” he said.
The commissioner said that over the past few days, the flow of misinformation on social media and other channels had been alarming and this has put the security of residents at immense risk.
Fahm assured Lagosians that the state government remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety of the lives and property of its citizens and that of the state.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Saturday, October 23, urged people in Lagos to disregard ethnic and religious jingoists, whose purpose is to create conflicts.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso said in a statement that the attention of Sanwo-Olu has been drawn to videos in social media and the online space, creating tension and encouraging ethnic conflicts.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has urged the people to disregard the videos, which are the tools of anarchists, whose plan is to create hatred and divisiveness for which Lagos is not known.
“Inciting videos of this nature are not what our land needs now, following the loss of lives and destruction that fake news, misinformation and unfounded rumours have triggered in our dear State in the last couple of days.
“The government appeals to the people to disregard calls from ethnic and religious jingoists; as well as agents of destruction who are on a mission to destroy our State; by pitching us against one another for yet-to-be-ascertained reasons,” Omotoso said.
He said that this is a very critical moment for the people, therefore, it is important that all should stand together; and also remain circumspect because the brewery of falsehood is unrelenting in its mission.
According to him, Lagos State is the melting point of various cultures; tribes; as well as religions across Nigeria.
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