IBRAHIM SALIHU
Niger State Acting Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba has said that educating and empowering social media influencers, bloggers, youths, and media practitioners would help in making them more responsible and credible.
He stated this at the 35th Social Media Seminar with the theme “Harnessing the Social Media for National Security and Development” organised by the Nigerian Army and held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna.
The Acting Governor observed that Social Media Ambassadors play an important role which is cardinal to the security of the society, adding that they are at the frontline in countering misinformation and building trust between the military and the public.
He further noted that social media has become a powerful tool in shaping perceptions, influencing decisions, and bridging communication in all spheres of life.
The Acting Governor said the Seminar aligns with the New Niger Agenda of the present administration, which has emphasis on the importance of communication, collaboration, and community engagements in achieving developmental aspirations.
He appreciated the Nigerian Army for their commitment to the ideals of peace, security, and development, pointing out that the partnership between the State government and the Nigerian Army has been beneficial.
The Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo in his address said the participation of the civil populace in nation-building is invaluable as the Nigeria Army seeks to cement the mutual relationship that will promote, inform and ensure responsible social media practices.
Maj. Gen. Ugbo said the social media seminar and other programmes organised by the Nigerian Army underscores it desire to continuously interact with critical stakeholders to seek understanding and support while strengthening the bond to collectively deal with enemies of the Country.
Maj. Gen. Ugbo expressed optimism that the theme for the event, which is meant to explore the social media in the face of the unpredictable and fluid security environment of the nation will as well remind stakeholders of their collective responsibility to National security and implications of the actions of social media users.
The Commander Corps of Artillery, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye described the seminar as an avenue to keep the youth informed about the Nigerian Army’s activities, including the importance of national security and development as well as the well-being of the populace.
Maj. Gen. Kangye said the concept should not just be about sharing information but to equip the youth with the knowledge to safeguard national security through the positive and responsible usage of the social media.
He described the theme of the event as timely and essential bearing in mind the current security challenges in the North Central Region of the Country while restating that the consequences of the misuse of social media to the society is detrimental to growth and development of the Nation.
Dr. Ehiz Odigie in her paper presentation titled” Leveraging the use of social media for enhanced national security and development”, dwelt extensively on the need for collective responsibility among citizens towards national development.
She called on citizens to use Social Media platforms as an avenue to add value through advocacy and community engagements among others.