The Nation Newspaper

Tag: social media

  • The other side of social media

    The other side of social media

    Social media is one of the best things to have happened to this generation since sliced bread. Come to think of it, it has made communication and interaction easier and more convenient.

    By definition, social media is a computer mediated technology that facilitates the creation and sharing of information, ideas, career, interest and other forms of expression.

    It is growing rapidly and becoming a vital part of our everyday life.

    Our culture, norms and values are integral parts of who we are (our identity), what we feel connected to and how we behave.

    Social media plays a big role in our social interactions. We no longer need to be with our important others physically before we know what they are doing; all we need to do is connect to them on twitter or Facebook.

    Social media has become a prominent feature of life, especially among young people today.

    There is an undue pressure on young people financially, socially, psychologically and otherwise when they consistently compare themselves to others on social media platforms.

    This creates a feeling of inferiority complex among them. It is a major distraction to achieving their sets goals because it most times competes for their time and resources.

    Social media sometimes exposes us to avoidable threats and vices like addiction (drugs), violence, abuse, kidnap, assassination etc.

    Have you consciously sat down to analyse and estimate the total time you spend on social media?

    Social media affects our habits and decisions; to a reasonable extent, it operates on our subconscious because our minds have been filled with images of other people and we begin to feel pressure to outdo or be like them.

    Also, it has almost eroded our educational culture of spelling right and correctly because abbreviations have taken centre stage. Students can hardly make simple phrases like “…You’re welcome”, “…talk to you later”, “…happy birthday”, instead they would rather use these: “Ywc or U wlc”, “ttyl”, and “hbd” respectively.

    Young people have literally embraced bestial and decadent tendencies when they post photo of themselves or others under the influence of alcohol, wearing something revealing  body or even naked in other to get more ‘likes’ and flirty ‘comment’ calling themselves different names like *BITCH*

    A lot of relationships have hit the brick wall as a result of being seen in a compromising situation on social media.

    If you are not very disciplined, social media will distract you from the very important things in life – family, religion, school etc.

    In conclusion, people can only be affected by a thing if they allow it to affect them. Social media can influence our lives either for better or worse. It all comes down to the type of person you are.

    If you are a person who is easily swayed by all tom, dick and harry, then keep off.  We need to pay attention to our own life, we need not to be competitive and just enjoy the moment instead of showing off. We shouldn’t turn ourselves to social media ADDICT.

  • Davido: Times Caroline Danjuma has sparked controversies on social media

    Davido: Times Caroline Danjuma has sparked controversies on social media

    Known for sparking controversies on the social media and deleting them almost immediately, former actress and mother of two, Ms Caroline Danjuma was at it again, when on Wednesday, she accused pop singer, David Adeleke, aka Davido of dumping the corpse of a young man by name Tagbo at an undisclosed General Hospital in Lagos.

    Although she had since deleted the post, the uproar it generated continues to generate reactions in the media.

    While it is yet unclear, the circumnstances under which Tagbo died, picture and video evidences pointing to Davido’s acquaintance with the deceased surface, lending credence to their frolickiAng moments shortly before his demise.

    Reacting to the accusation, Davido denied involvement in Tagbo’s death, making little or no revelations on his snapchat page.

    “RIP Tagbo, God knows the truth! People are just wicked. This is what I get for treating everyone like my brother. I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of my friend, Tagbo. First and foremost, my sincere condolences and prayers are with his family and friends at this time. I’ve been in this position before multiple times and also of recent. But it is also disappointing that false information and complete lies have been put out there, using my name as usual. Out of total respect for Tagbo and his family, I will not discuss this matter further for now,” said Davido.

    While it is still not clear the circumstances surrounding his death, footage has emerged of the late Tagbo, having a nice time with friends at a club on his birthday.

    Although there is nothing in the clip to determine date of event, the young man was seen in the company of friends of tequila shots. A voice could be heard telling him jokingly; “Tagbo you no get money oh! Tagbo How far?”

    Fans have since called out Caroline Danjuma for accusing Davido, with many giving instances the former actress had uploaded controversial posts on Instagram, only to take them down after a few minutes.

    Sometime ago, Caroline threw a shade on social media without mentioning the name of whom it was directed. And when followers started insinuating the alleged person could be Linda Ikeji, in view of her then media drama with Wizkid, she deleted the post.

    She once talked about broken homes in a post she captioned “#prayforthechildren”, but deleted it as soon as fans started making comments about her marriage.

    She was also at loggerheads with singer Cynthia Morgan over the latter’s controversial promo photo.

  • Thoughts on social media monitoring

    It emerged recently that the Ministry of Defence is monitoring the conversations of Nigerians on social media. This is a move to check hate speech in the wake of several provocative pronouncements made against certain ethnic groups by others.

    Although there has always been some friction among ethnic groups in the country, a new dimension was introduced recently when the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) gave the Federal Government an ultimatum to conduct a referendum in the Southeast on Biafra.

    Shortly after that, a coalition of northern youth associations gave an October 1 ultimatum to the Igbo living in the North to leave; although they have reportedly suspended that call. For a rather long  time, these pronouncements were not roundly condemned and the proclaimers prosecuted as is expected of a lawful society. Consequently, hate speeches and music went viral on social media, with some of it sneaking into conventional media. This continued until the return of President Muhammadu Buhari from his 103-day medical leave and the notification by the Ministry of Defence that it is monitoring social media.

    Since this became public knowledge, Nigerians have been reacting in various ways. There are those who are quick to argue that this amounts to infringement of the citizens’ freedom of expression. This group argues that citizens are free to express themselves however they want, without any hindrance whatsoever from the government.

    There are also those who think it is high time the government did something about the war songs and war language turning our social media into virtual theatres of war, with citizens calling for one another’s head and blood. I belong to the second group. Although it is emotionally appealing to argue against government’s monitoring of the social media, the reality of our situation dictates otherwise. Freedom cannot be absolute. Whenever one man’s freedom to swing his hand extends too far, it infringes on his neighbour’s freedom to keep an eye. The government has a duty to ensure both freedoms stand by passively without inviting anarchy.

    Although I believe it is proper to monitor people’s activities on social media, I also understand the concerns raised by those who oppose this move. First, given the penchant of our institutions for abuse and political manipulation, Nigerians are concerned that this apparently well-intentioned move may be hijacked to spy on political opponents to muzzle voices of dissent in the country.

    Second, the people are worried that the monitoring institution may be unable to be an impartial umpire, thereby promptly the cracking down on hate speech from one segment of the country while glibly looking the other way when hate speech emanates from another segment. Third, people are concerned that once the government effectively establishes control of social media, it will refuse to relinquish it even after the security considerations that necessitated it have abated.These are all genuine concerns.

    But, Nigerians on either side of the debate need to realise that this intervention, no matter how imperfect, is better than nothing at all. There are several people on social media who abuse that platform by provoking needless acrimony along ethnic and religious lines. Some of these elements may be sponsored by evil people whose interests are served, at least in the interim, by our nation’s descent to anarchy. Others may just be not-very-responsible elements who think it is the duty of the government to maintain order and peace while their own duty is to toy with that peace by playing with the sensibilities of the people. It is appalling to notice that those who constitute the bulk of these social media agent provocateurs are young citizens who, in other countries, are in the driving seat of responsible leadership.

    Therefore, even though this may not be a comfortable idea, we must give the government some leeway to curtail these excesses; and in the interim, this may involve monitoring social media. However, the government must summon courage to address the socio-political and economic imbalances in the system that predispose the nation to becoming a thriving industry of hate speech. We cannot hide from the fundamental questions staring us in the face. Why is there always something to quarrel about along ethnic and religious lines? Why does the average Nigerian feel threatened by his compatriots from other ethnic and religious groups? Whenever we can find the courage to selflessly address these issues – when we can evolve as a nation built on trust, common good and mutual prosperity – only then can we banish the fear of ourselves and relish our full liberties as a people.

     

    • Msonter, 500-Level Medicine and Surgery, BSU, Makurdi

     

  • #NotTooYoungToRun: Can there be a generational shift?

    #NotTooYoungToRun: Can there be a generational shift?

    Since the House of Representatives signed the ‘NotTooYoungToRun Bill’, many youths have taken to the social media to announce ambitions for various elective offices. With lack of political structures, grassroots appeal and deep pockets, it is left to be seen how these young Nigerians can turn global success stories to local realities. HANNAH OJO reports.

    How are the mighty fallen? This statement best describes the recent election in Kenya where a 24 and 23- year- old who ran as independent candidates defeated experienced politicians with established political structures to win seats in the Kenyan parliament. In Nigeria where the Not too young to run bill was recently signed by the senate; the success story of these Kenyan youths have generated a new whirl of excitement as some upwardly mobile young people, including celebrities have joined the ilk of people seeking political offices.

    Aimed at increasing youth participation in the political process, the #NotTooYoungToRun bill seeks to reduce the constitutional age requirement for running elective office in Nigeria. The bill with gazette number HB 544 seeks to alter sections 65, 106, 131, 177 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) to reduce the age qualification for the office of the president from 40 years to 30 years; Governor from 35 to 30, Senate 35 to 30, House of Representatives 30 to 25 and State House of Assembly 30 to 25. Another tangible change sought by the bill is the mainstreaming of Independent Candidacy, which would be used to curtail the imposition and substitution of candidates by political parties.

    Hon. Tony Nwulu, a PDP member representing Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency II, Lagos state is the sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives while the Senator representing Adamawa Central, Abdul-Aziz Murtala Nyako of the APC sponsored the bill in the senate. Although signed by the green chamber, the bill has suffered delay in the House of Reps where it has been stalled by allegations of money exchanging hands and assumption of threat to the educational attainment of northern youths.
    For the amendment to become law; 24 state houses of assembly must also approve the bill and the President must assent to it.

    In recent times, names which come to the fore as those who have ran a vibrant campaign on the strength of the conviction of how youths can influence governance include the inimitable Gbolahan Rhodes-Vivour who contested for the chairmanship position of Ikeja local government under the KOWA party as well as Dayo Israel who vied for the same post in Lagos Mainland, during the last local council elections held in July.

    A slew of campaigners without political structure

    Before Miss Cynthia Muge and Paul Nwirigi of Kenya turned into an inspiration for Nigerian youths seeking public office, there had been Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada and Emmanuel Macron, the 39 year old president of France whose win as a young, independent candidate threw the Nigerian youth community into a joyous mood. These victories invigorated the #NotTooYoungToRun campaigners and the effort seems set sailed even as the green chamber has endorsed it. However, it appears Nigerians youths may have lots of obstacles to deal with. Many of the young people who have indicated interest in electoral offices lack political structure, money and grass roots loyalty.

    Emphasizing onthe importance of grass root connections to political aspirations, Fisayo Soyombo, a public analyst and investigative journalist wrote in a recent op-ed that the Kenya duo won because they had integrated themselves into their communities and also have a deep connection to the grassroots.NotTooYoungToRun
    “Here in Nigeria, politically conscious youth cannot lay claim to a physical connection to the grassroots. The leading lights are all Twitter superstars and “social-media influencers”. Unfortunately, Twitter superstardom won’t deliver votes.
    “Kenya proved that already with the defeat of its Twitter god, Boniface Mwangi, at the polls. Mwangi, a popular activist, currently has 738,000 followers on Twitter but he had only secured 11,714 votes as of the time he conceded defeat, while a candidate had double his votes and another had almost quadruple”, Soyombo further intoned.

    Also, Chude Jideonwo, a media entrepreneur in a recent essay written as part of the Office of the Citizen series alluded to the question of grassroots connection when he said;
    “How many young people, who are highly educated, deeply competent and globally aware, are members of political parties, are strategists taken seriously within these political parties, and are eligible to be part of crucial decision making in these political parties?” The response to his question hovers judging by current happenstances in Nigeria’s political scene.

    In a chat with The Nation, Oluwaloseyi Babaeko, who recently declared his ambition to represent Kabba/Bunu constituency in the Kogi State House of Assembly in the forthcoming elections under the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) umbrella, believes that ideological positions and consistent commitment to the welfare of the people can fill in the gap for a lack of political structure.

    “We are mobilizing people using the political structure and the social media which is quite impressive because thousands of people have registered with us at the party secretariat in Kabba. The political process in Nigeria cost money no doubt but we are putting in efforts in place to conscientise the electorates and raise their awareness on the dangers of selling their future for peanuts”, added the aspirant who recently completed a Master’s in Conflict, Development and Security at the School of Politics and International Studies at the University of Leeds, UK.

    While the likes of Babaeko and other young aspirants may have to battle with the deep money politics that has characterized Nigeria’s political space, other analysts like Babatope Falade-Onikoyi, a knowledge economy advocate believes leadership should be about vision and not age.
    “The issue with older generation has never been their biology. It has been about ideas. Do we have ideas and frameworks that will change Nigeria? Leadership is not about age. It is about vision. What vision do we have other than disgust with the other generation?” Onikoyi queried.

    Reporting done as part of BudgIT media fellowship.

  • Lion King in the saddle

    Riddles about the Lion King, hyenas, jackals, wolves and weaker animals hit the social media in Nigeria a few months back when President Muhammadu Buhari was on medical vacation in the United Kingdom. Those behind the riddles were his wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari and Senator Shehu Sani (APC, Kaduna Central).

    They raised the alarm and warned some top government officials who might be thinking and plotting against the administration for their selfish gains.

    Speaking about lions, hyenas, jackals, wolves and weaker animals in their separate postings, they appeared to be talking about the Buhari’s presidency, the President’s sickness, recovery, the masses and the scheming of the “real” or “imaginary” cabals.

    Sani had posted: “Prayer for the absent Lion King has waned. Until he’s back, then they will fall over each other to be on the front row of the palace temple.

    “Now, the hyenas and the jackals are scheming and talking to each other in whispers; still doubting whether the Lion King will be back or not.

    “Now, the Lion King is asleep and no other dare to confirm if he will wake up or not. It is the wish of the hyenas that the Lion King never wakes or come back, so they can be kings.

    “It is the prayers of the weaker animals that the Lion King comes back to save the kingdom from the hyenas, the wolves and other predators,” he added

    As if replying Sani’s post, Aisha Buhari, on her Twitter handle said: “God has answered the prayers of the weaker animals. The hyenas and the jackals will soon be sent out of the kingdom.

    “We strongly believe in the prayers of the weaker animals. Long live the weaker animals. Long live Nigeria.” she stated

    With the return of Buhari to the country, the jackals and hyenas, whether real or imaginary, have remained silent and underground.

    Sani, during the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah break again urged the President to urgently purge his administration of the hyenas and jackals.

    Whether the President will identify the jackals and hyenas, if they really exist, and flush them out is a story for another day.

    But hardly anyone could be in doubt now that President Buhari is fully back in the saddle.

    The following are some of his activities in the past three weeks of his return to Nigeria.

    His first assignment on his return to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on August 19 was meeting with the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and security chiefs.

    That was followed by a nationwide broadcast to Nigerians the following Monday.

    On the same Monday, he received briefings from the the Vice President.

    He met again with security chiefs on Tuesday where he was updated on the security situations in every part of the country.

    On Wednesday the President received Presidential investigative report on the suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal and the Director General of the National intelligence Agency (NIA)

    The President on the first Thursday of his return signed instruments of ratification for a number of bilateral agreements aimed at strengthening the government’s anti-corruption battle, and to boost Tax Administration and Intellectual Property Protection in the country.

    The following day, he met jointly with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    On that Friday, he also observed his Friday jumaat prayer alongside other Muslim faithfuls in the mosque at the State House.

    He later met with state governors at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa after the Jumaat prayer.

    On the Monday of his second week in the country, the President received briefings on the economy from the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

    The President on the following Wednesday, presided over the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Before the meeting proper started, the President received the victorious Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigeress.

    Later in the day, the President left Abuja for his home town, Daura in Katsina State for the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah break.

    The following day, he held a private meeting with his classmates in Daura.

    On Friday, he joined his kinsmen to observe the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah prayer at a Eid praying ground in Daura.

    The President, the following Saturday receivied the Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, who paid him homage at his residence in Daura as part of the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.

    Last week Monday, the President received associations of farmers, businessmen, youths, elders and politicians in Katsina State at his country home in Daura.

    The following day, Buhari met with the Nigerien President, Muhammadu Issoufou at his residence in Daura, Katsina State.

    After the Sallah break, the President returned to the seat of power in Abuja last Wednesday to continue to steer the ship of State.

    The Lion King is really fully back in the saddle.

     

    Spurring sports honour

    President Muhammadu Buhari, a fortnight ago, did something that will count for sports development in the country for some time to come.

    He wasted no time to receive the the victorious Nigeria’s female national basketball team, DTigeress at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Beside the normal Presidential handshake, the President also announced N1 million each for the players and N500,000 each for the team officials.

    Those moves have already started yielding results in the sporting arena.

    They boosted the National male football team, the Super Eagles to go all out against the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the first leg FIFA World Cup qualifier match in Akwa Ibom State.

    The Super Eagles mercilessly beat the Cameroonian team by 4-0 in Nigeria.

    In the second leg match in Cameroon, the Cameroonian team managed to escape with 1-1 draw.

    Nigeria really appeared to have returned to winning ways.

     

  • 2017 Powerlist for media influencers under 40

    2017 Powerlist for media influencers under 40

    The 2017 annual ranking of the most powerful young persons under the age of 40, in the Media industry, is out. The Powerlist is a roll call of the most powerful influencers and change-makers under the age of 40.

    The list which includes creative filmmaker and director, Kemi Adetiba; media entrepreneur and blogger, Linda Ikeji; and host of Your View, Nigeria’s premier TV talk show, Morayo Afolabi-Brown.

    Other personalities on the 2017 Powerlist are Idris Akinbajo, the Managing Editor of Premium Times; Stephanie Busari, the versatile head of CNN Multimedia Digital Africa Coverage for Nigeria/West African bureau; Uche Pedro, CEO, BellaNaija; and Eromo Egbejule, writer for global media platforms such as The Washington Post, Forbes Africa and The UK Guardian UK.

    Let’s look at the list:

    KEMI ADETIBA

    What do you do after directing the highest grossing Nollywood film ever at the cinemas? When you are Kemi Adetiba, you pass on the sequel and dive straight into the under plumbed waters of online television to create King Women, a pro-feminist, life affirming series of intimate interviews with some of the most interesting Nigerian women. King Women instantly announced itself as an event series, sparking heated conversations on serious issues and boosted traffic for host platform, Accelerate TV.

    IDRIS AKINBAJO

    Idris Akinbajo and Premium Times are an ideal fit. He has scored several awards for his in depth exposes on corrupt practices. Premium Times has continued to lead the field in terms of investigative political and economic. Having worked for years with Dapo Olorunyomi, replacing him as managing editor is only a natural progression. Akinbajo is responsible for providing leadership that ensures that the lid isn’t kept on any public deal of national interest. Premium Times under his watch has been alive to this responsibility.

    MORAYO AFOLABI-BROWN

    For a while now, The View, the female led breakfast chat show modeled after the US network mainstay has been the most popular content on its time belt, on television. This, according to those who would know. Morayo Afolabi Brown makes this happen every single day. Because merely hosting a top rated talk show would be quite mainstream, Afolabi-Brown has a day gig as the director of television programmes at TVC, creating content for broadcast on three independent channels.

    STEPHANIE BUSARI

    Donald Trump may label CNN fake news but the woman responsible for the multimedia digital Africa coverage as head of the Nigeria/West African bureau has hardly but a wrong foot forward. As head of CNN’s Nigerian operation, Busari has worked on some of the biggest news and lifestyle stories coming out of Africa. If Nigeria has a fairer representation on the cable news network these days, it is because of Busari’s doggedness in shining the light on the myriads of opportunities hidden within the country.

    EROMO EGBEJULE

    As the West’s Africa coverage moves beyond war torn zones and a crippling single story, it has become imperative to have as many local voices telling the continent’s stories; good and bad on a global level. Eromo Egbejule presently fills this need. With reporting that has appeared in mainstream media such as The Washington Post, Forbes Africa
    and Guardian UK, Egbejule has helped shine the light on hitherto uncovered Nigerian stories. He is a recipient of the 2017 BudgIT media fellowship.

    LINDA IKEJI

    Everybody (and their mother) still visits the Linda Ikeji blog for the latest news, gist and gossip. Since the last time she was on this list, Ikeji has doubled down on her efforts to seize control of all media with her online television, radio station, music service and social networking platforms. These services have helped create hours of original content and have kept scores of young Nigerians engaged and gainfully employed.

    AGNES MARQUIS

    Ndanitv pioneered sexy online television powered by big financial institutions and years later, Ndanitv still leads when it comes to catching the attention of millennials with content that speaks to the times. Marquis is head of production at Ndani and in this capacity, is responsible for managing the production and distribution of content.
    Some of her recent wins include Skinny Girl in Transit, Rumour has it and  Lagos Big Boy.

    CHIAGOZIE FRED NWONWU

    Mazi Nwonwu is the managing editor of Olisa.tv, an entertainment, lifestyle and news website that has been indispensable for a fresh crop of writers looking to get published in the lifestyle space. Readers looking for more context in the cultural space know to visit Olisa.tv. Nwonwu is also the co-founder of Omenana, an online magazine for African speculative fiction that attracts the brightest talent working in that genre.

    UCHE PEDRO

    In 2016, Uche Pedro started a personal blog. It soon grew to become a fan favorite, covering issues relating to lifestyle, celebrity, and style. Today Bellanaija.com  is one of the most recognizably Nigerian
    brands with visitors clicking in from all over the world,- over 10 million page views each month. Pedro prefers to keep a low profile but the impact of her work does all the talking. The style, beauty, and lifestyle divisions have been spun off into pseudo-verticals, with distinct identities. And of course, there is the ever popular Bellanaijaweddings.

    FISAYO SOYOMBO

    While at The Cable newspaper, Soyombo proved his mettle as an eagle-eyed editor and excellent investigative journalist. And he’s got the international awards and renown to show for some of his efforts.
    When this year, he joined the International Centre for Investigative reporting (ICIR), an independent, nonprofit news agency that had funded his impactful Forgotten Soldiers series, it made perfect sense. Opaque institutions are probably shaking in their boots.

  • Why Lai Mohammed urgently needs social media accounts

    Why Lai Mohammed urgently needs social media accounts

    While denying the false report of President Muhammadu Buhari purported plan to travel to the United States on Sunday, Information and Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Muhammed disclosed that he does not have social media accounts.

    “Numerous parody accounts have been opened in my name on the two platforms, when indeed I have no Twitter or Facebook accounts,” he stated while urging Nigerians to disregard what was credited to him.

    The minister also recalled how the same parody Twitter account, @MohammedLai used to disseminate the fake news about the President’s purported trip was employed to circulate a fake report that he sharply criticised Senator Dino Melaye for attending the Notting Hill Carnival in the UK.

    He said these two instances highlight the dangers posed to the polity by the purveyors of fake news and disinformation, and vowed that the Federal Government would soon fish out those behind the shenanigans.

    I sympatise with the minister that the false sensitive information was credited to him by some faceless individuals who create parody accounts in the name of others, especially top government officials to misinform the public.

    I totally agree with the minister that “Fake news, disinformation and hate speech are the antics of the naysayers, those who are pathologically opposed to this administration.” Everyone on the internet, including Nigerians as he counseled need to be more discerning and should double check any information emanating from the social media.

    However, notwithstanding the wrong use to which social media accounts are being deployed, the minister cannot continue to justify not having Twitter or Facebook handles.

    The accounts are too important in the present information age for information dissemination for any government official like the country’s information minister not to have.

    If President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and many other top officials of the federal government have social media accounts, why should the spokesman of the government not have verified handles?

    Parody accounts will always be created by mischief makers, but when the real ones exists and are used regularly, it will be easy to distinguish between fake and real information.

    Alhaji Mohammed should take a cue from many members of this administration who are effectively using the social media to disseminate information to prevent the naysayers from taking advantage of his absence on the too-important to ignore platforms.

    He doesn’t need to operate them himself like most top dignitaries do. He can get tech savvy assistants to keep Nigerians informed through the platforms and match the naysayers tweets for tweets.

     

     

  • Social media frustrating Benue’s industrial growth – commissioner

    The Benue government said on Saturday that incessant attacks hurled through the social media were painting the state in bad light and discouraging investors from patronising it.

    “The social media attacks have been very severe; they paint Benue in bad light and discourage investors from coming in,” Mr Lawrence Onoja Jr., Commissioner for Information and Orientation, said in Makurdi.

    Onoja Jr. said that the negative comments posted on the social media were “mischievous tales” targeted at discouraging investors from investing into government’s agriculture-driven industrialization.

    “Sometimes what you read in the social media amazes one; how can one deliberately plant lies just to pull down his own state government and stall its growth?

    “`The situation is regrettable and simply sad. Government works very hard, but its opponents keep discrediting it,” he fumed.

    He, however, said that the Gov Samuel Ortom-led administration would not be discouraged by “such mischief makers and rumour mangers”.

    The commissioner said that government was planning an Information Summit that would deal with the menace of the social media and tackle rumour mongering.

    Onoja Jr. said that government was transparent in its financial transactions, adding that all contracts had always followed due processes.

    “Government has nothing to hide; it is laughable to allege that the governor awards contracts to himself. Contracts are discussed and endorsed by the State Executive Council.

    “The governor vets all expenditures; he is strict and there is no way he can award contracts to himself. The executive council directs the ministries and payments are done through the Ministry of Finance,” he explained.

    The commissioner commended the federal government for the massive campaign against hate speech, and called for a more critical look into social media content to rid Nigeria of divisive comments. (NAN)

  • Drop that phone and look up!

    Drop that phone and look up!

    One of the best things the 21st century did for us was the smartphone. As we were basking in the euphoria of being able to connect with people miles away with a wireless equipment, the smartphone came along with the social media by its side. With the smartphone, you have the world in your palms; you could do virtually everything and anything.

    You connect with millions of people simultaneously, check up vital information about anything and still have the ability to send Short Message Service (SMS) and make calls, all at the same time. The social media itself even seemed more magical and made impossibilities possible, businesses flourished, marriages were established, lost connections were restored, distance was no longer a barrier and we could literally “touch” the world.

    However, the “magical” smartphone and its “daughter” the social media has brought with it a whole lot of ills which seem really difficult to combat these days.

    Everywhere in Nigeria, youths are seen clinging passionately to their communication gadgets, some laughing, others having this business-like look on their faces, they all have one thing in common: They are networking, building strong and long lasting relationships that transcends any bias, be it religious, political, or ethnical. We all seem to be  busy looking down at our phones that we don’t look up to see the little beauties of life, we don’t admire beautiful flowers anymore, we hardly take note of lowly beggars reaching out to us on the streets, nor do we respond to “hellos” from  “familiar strangers”.

    We are becoming more concerned with Facebook “friends” than we are with the people we interact with face-to-face in our daily lives.

    When last did we make new friends just by saying hello and talking about random stuff till we felt a connection? Social media platforms have lent a voice to the voiceless but has destroyed the throats of those who had voices. We no longer talk to strangers in the bus while travelling or give people our undivided attention.

    Our family time, slumber parties, get-togethers and many more have been replaced by group chats, Skype, video conferencing, etc.

    Many live for Facebook and Instagram likes, everyone wants to be Facebook famous, very few people want to write a motivational book or start up a movement for inspiration and youth empowerment.

    This is a clarion call for the youths to stop the gadget madness. There’s more to life than that gadget!  The frivolous things of life would always come and go. Many social media platforms are dead and buried, but the important virtues of life will always stand strong. Friendship, loyalty, companionship, marriage would always be here and when you miss out on them, you’re missing out on the goodness of life.

  • Nigeria’s unity not negotiable – Buhari

    Nigeria’s unity not negotiable – Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday condemned recent comments and discussions, especially in the social media, which questioned Nigeria’s existence as a united country.

    He said that such comments had “crossed our national red lines’’.

    In a nationwide broadcast following his return, on Saturday, from a medical vacation in London, Buhari said that he was distressed by the comments while abroad, saying “this is a step too far.’’

    “Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable.

    “We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood,’’ he said.

    He recalled that in 2003 he hosted the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu in his house in Daura, where after discussing for two days “in great depth’’, they concluded that Nigeria must remain united.

    “Every Nigerian has the right to live and pursue his business anywhere in Nigeria without let or hindrance.

    “I believe the very vast majority of Nigerians share this view.’’

    Buhari said this did not, however, mean that there were no legitimate concerns among different groups in the country, adding that the beauty and attraction of a federation was that it allowed groups to air their grievances.

    He stated that Nigerians, irrespective of their ethno-religious backgrounds, must shun all divisive tendencies to enable the nation tackle the challenges of economic security, political evolution, integration and lasting peace among all Nigerians.

    The president charged Nigerians with genuine grievances to always channel them through proper and legally acceptable bodies for possible solutions.

    According to him, the National Assembly and the National Council of State are the legitimate and appropriate bodies for national discourse.

    “The national consensus is that, it is better to live together than to live apart,’’ he said. (NAN)