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United Youth Movement For Better Nigeria Demands End to Online Political Hostility in Plateau
A youth-led rally was held Friday at Secretariat Junction in Jos, calling for an end to growing political propaganda and rising hostility on social media platforms across Plateau State. The event, organized by the United Youth Movement for Better Nigeria (UYMBN), brought together young advocates who urged residents to embrace unity under the theme “One Plateau.”
Speaking during the rally, Comrade Musa Joseph, National Coordinator of the movement, said the gathering was aimed at addressing the increasing toxicity in the digital space, which he described as harmful to Plateau’s image and collective progress.
He lamented that political divisions have created an environment where misinformation, cyberbullying, and personal attacks thrive, often driven by “political miscreants and data mercenaries” used by politicians to spread falsehoods. According to him, this trend undermines the values Plateau people are known for—civility, respect, and unity.
Comrade Joseph appealed to supporters of major political figures—including Governor Caleb Mutfwang and APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda—to stop fueling animosity online, emphasizing that both leaders have key roles to play in Plateau’s development. He stressed that politicians come and go, but the state remains, urging youths not to become tools for divisive interests.
“I would like to charge other ministries on the Plateau to emulate the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ephraim Usman, who collaborates with youths and citizens, bringing ideas that project the state in growth and development. That should be the way forward.”
He also called for stronger regulation of the social media space, noting that while freedom of expression is guaranteed under the Constitution, it must not cross into hate speech, incitement, or defamation. Joseph encouraged the State House of Assembly to consider laws that promote responsible digital engagement to safeguard peace.
The youth coordinator further applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing Plateau citizens into strategic national positions, saying the state must project itself positively to attract more opportunities.
Also speaking at the rally, Hon. Ambassador Daniel Dazan, Speaker of the Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Plateau State chapter, said moral values among young people must be revived to counter the breakdown of discipline and rising online hostility. He called on the state government and relevant institutions to support initiatives that promote peace, digital responsibility, and youth engagement.
Dazan warned that the obsession with political fights on social media distracts youths from tackling real challenges such as insecurity, unemployment, and social vices. He urged young people to channel their energy toward peacebuilding and productive development rather than political rivalry.
The organizers vowed to escalate their advocacy to the state government and, if necessary, to the presidency, insisting that Plateau must not be portrayed in a negative light due to online conflicts. They described unity and responsible communication as essential for the future of the state.
The United Youth Movement for Better Nigeria (UYMBN) also acknowledged the strides of Seyi Tinubu, their patron especially his efforts towards galvanizing the youths into participatory governance.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended a Phase III trial of an Ebola vaccine to test whether it can protect against Bundibugyo virus disease.
WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, disclosed this in a video posted on his official X account on Thursday.
Ghebreyesus said two vaccines specifically developed against the Bundibugyo virus had entered Phase I safety trials in humans. At the same time, new animal studies had shown promising evidence that Ervebo, an Ebola vaccine, could also provide cross-protection against the virus.
He said the findings prompted WHO to recommend Ervebo for inclusion in a Phase III trial, which the organisation hopes to begin as soon as possible.
However, it is not yet known whether Ervebo can protect humans against Bundibugyo virus disease.
Mr Ghebreyesus said the Phase III trial would help establish whether the vaccine is safe and effective and could provide evidence needed to make it available for the current outbreak and future outbreaks.
No licensed vaccines
The development comes as the Bundibugyo virus outbreak in the DRC has become the second-largest Ebola outbreak on record.
As of Thursday, the country had recorded 4,449 confirmed cases and 2,061 deaths across five provinces and 53 health zones, according to the WHO.
The health agency said the outbreak was spreading faster than any previous Ebola outbreak at the same stage and could surpass the 2014–2016 West African outbreak, which remains the largest on record, with more than 28,000 cases and 11,000 deaths reported in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Bundibugyo virus is one of the viruses in the Ebola family that can cause severe and often fatal disease in humans.
Unlike Ebola virus disease caused by the Ebola virus, there is currently no licensed vaccine specifically approved for the prevention of Bundibugyo virus disease.
WHO said in June that Ervebo, the only licensed and WHO-prequalified Ebola vaccine, is approved for Ebola virus disease but not for Bundibugyo virus disease.
The current outbreak was first detected in the DRC in May, following an unexplained cluster of deaths in Ituri Province that was investigated. Laboratory testing confirmed Bundibugyo virus disease, prompting the DRC government to declare its 17th Ebola outbreak.
Uganda also confirmed imported cases linked to the outbreak in the DRC. WHO subsequently determined that the outbreak in the two countries constituted a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Previous Bundibugyo virus outbreaks have had case fatality rates between 30 and 50 per cent, according to the WHO.
PREMIUM TIMES reported on 9 August that WHO had already recommended Ervebo for evaluation in a randomised clinical trial after reviewing evidence suggesting that it could provide some protection against Bundibugyo virus.
Treatment advancement
Mr Ghebreyesus also disclosed progress in research into treatments for Bundibugyo virus disease.
He said a WHO-sponsored partners trial had reached 100 patients.
The trial is assessing potential treatments for the disease and is intended to generate evidence on which therapies can improve outcomes for infected patients.
READ ALSO: DRC Ebola outbreak becomes second-largest on record WHO
Mr Ghebreyesus said the milestone showed that research could be mobilised rapidly and responsibly even during a difficult outbreak.
He called on partners to support and accelerate the vaccine trial, while emphasising that the response requires collaboration among the DRC government, WHO, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other partners.
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