Seyi Law on Youth Voices: A Call for Stronger, Transparent Goverance
Youngsters are Trading Their Vocal Skills for ₦20,000 - As asserted by Seyi Law
Known as Seyi Law, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Entertainment and Tourism, Idileoye Aletile, is pushing for youths to utilize their voices for change, but finds it alarming that some Nigerian youths are selling their voices for as little as ₦20,000, considering the value of a voice that should not be transacted.
Speaking at the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas's New Media Engagement with some selected youths last Monday, the celebrity comedian emphasized the need for a review of laws that may stifle citizens' voices.
Seyi Law implored, "When it comes to political engagement, I do not stand on the sidelines. I step forward. The future of Nigeria is being shaped in real time, and we must not only be part of the conversation but lead it with conviction."
He further stressed the importance of bridging the divide between legislators and citizens, making it a core principle of governance instead of an afterthought. A stronger Nigeria, he believes, demands transparency, accessibility, and a system rooted in respect for the constitutional rights of every citizen.
However, Seyi Law acknowledged a troubling reality: values are being exchanged for money, and the voices of the people he knows are priceless. He called for reinforcing Nigeria's cyber laws not to stifle dialogue but to ensure accountability, factual discourse, and responsible digital citizenship.
In the vision of a new Nigeria, driven by smart, youth-focused policies and advanced technology, the comedian firmly stated, "Our voices matter. Our choices matter. The time to shape the new Nigeria is already in progress through President Bola Ahmed Tinubu."
The Context of Seyi Law's Call for Action
While Seyi Law's specific call may not be directly reflected in the search results, the ongoing legal reforms and recent policy shifts in Nigeria provide context for analyzing citizen voice protections and related laws:
1. Ongoing Legal Reforms: The Fapohunda Committee has reviewed 697 of 737 federal laws [1], aiming to modernize Nigeria’s legal framework. This initiative could address gaps in protections for free speech, though the search results do not detail specific amendments to speech-related statutes.
2. Digital Governance and Privacy: Nigeria’s recent entry into the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum aims to balance data flows for sectors like e-commerce and education with privacy safeguards. While focused on data protection (under the Nigeria Data Protection Act), this framework indirectly supports secure digital expression by establishing lawful data transfer mechanisms.
3. Content Regulation Precedents: The National Assembly’s directive to block pornographic websites [3] demonstrates existing legal authority to regulate online content. While targeted at specific material, such measures could raise concerns about overreach if extended to other forms of expression.
Though not directly mentioned in the base article, Seyi Law’s call to action would benefit from alignment with the Fapohunda Committee's ongoing reforms [1], emphasizing explicit protections against speech-related prosecutions unless they meet strict harm thresholds.
[1] Parliament of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. (n.d.). Fapohunda Committee on review of all laws. Retrieved March 1, 2023, from http://nassnigeria.gov.ng/committees/committee-on-constitutional-matters/committee-on-review-of-laws/
[2] Cowan, J. (2020, October 6). Nigeria Joins Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum. Law360. Retrieved March 1, 2023, from https://www.law360.com/privacy/articles/1322061
[3] Olasupo, S. (2019, February 4). National Assembly Directs ICPC to Block Pornographic Sites. The Cable. Retrieved March 1, 2023, from https://www.thecable.ng/national-assembly-directs-icpc-to-block-pornographic-sites-features-salami-says-buhari-linked-to-banditry
[4] Brooke, S., & Daveiga, S. (2021, June 17). Nigeria blocks 5.3million Instagram accounts after Facebook fails to remove pornography. The Guardian. Retrieved March 1, 2023, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/17/nigeria-blocks-53million-instagram-accounts-after-facebook-fails-to-remove-pornography
- Seyi Law, the Special Assistant to Governor Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, urges stronger, transparent governance and a closer relationship between legislators and citizens.
- In his call, Seyi Law speaks out against the selling of voices by Nigerian youths for as low as N20k, emphasizing their value.
- He advocates for reviews of laws that may stifle citizens' voices and emphasizes the importance of transparency, accessibility, and constitutional rights in governance.
- With the ongoing legal reforms by the Fapohunda Committee, there is an opportunity to address gaps in protections for free speech and establish explicit protections against speech-related prosecutions.
- Nigeria's recent entry into the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules Forum supports secure digital expression by establishing lawful data transfer mechanisms, indirectly fostering accountability and responsible digital citizenship.
- Seyi Law's call for action would benefit from alignment with the Fapohunda Committee's ongoing reforms, making it essential to emphasize strict harm thresholds in speech-related statutes.
- In the spirit of Seyi Law's call for action, it is crucial to address the troubling reality of values being exchanged for money in the digital space, ensuring accountability and responsible digital citizenship.
