Before You Join The Petrol Import Debate: Tinubu’s Aide Calls For Deeper Understanding

The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Digital and New Media, O’tega Ogra, has charged Nigerians to always seek more knowledge on any report circulating online.

O’tega Ogra said this while reacting to the report on petrol importation from Malta that was credited to some persons in the Presidency.

The report alleged that a member of the President’s Economic Advisory Council was responsible for the increased volume of petrol imports from Malta. Petrol import from Malta has been factored as one of the reasons Nigeria’s four refineries were not operational.

In the current face-off between Dangote Refinery and Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), petrol imports from Malta have also been factored in.

On his X handle, on Saturday, Ogra said, “In today’s ever-changing and fast-paced news cycle, any popular person or someone with internet access can malign another person or even malign a listed company with devastating effect to shareholders on the basis of a rumour or subtle/overt propaganda against anyone they disdain.

“For weeks, many could bet their lives that a certain government oil trade deal signed in 2020 was owned by (or beneficial to) the current president or a member of his extended family. Two days ago, new information came out but everyone who said and wrote those silly takes has moved on and is eerily quiet.

“I know many love to see negative news, especially in a time where there is high distrust but knowledge is free. Least you can do is to be discerning in such instances or seek further knowledge before jumping on a bandwagon of false claims simply because it suits your bias.

“I still remember how some nasty remarks were made at a victim of a terrorist train attack whilst they were being attacked until it became clear the incident was real. Also, many on these online platforms have been led to suicide over equally nasty remarks that show a lack of empathy, common sense, humanity or all of the above.”