By Awwal Umar Kontagora Niger State's Acting Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has underscored the importance of educating and empowerin...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
Niger State's Acting Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has underscored the importance of educating and empowering social media influencers, bloggers, youth, and media practitioners to foster greater responsibility and credibility.
Speaking at the 35th Social Media Seminar themed “Harnessing Social Media for National Security and Development,” organized by the Nigerian Army and held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, the Acting Governor highlighted the critical role of Social Media Ambassadors in ensuring societal security. He noted that they are at the forefront of countering misinformation and building trust between the military and the public.
Comrade Garba further emphasized that social media has evolved into a powerful tool for shaping perceptions, influencing decisions, and facilitating communication across all sectors of life.
He pointed out that the seminar aligns with the New Niger Agenda of the current administration, which stresses the importance of communication, collaboration, and community engagement in achieving developmental goals.
The Acting Governor commended the Nigerian Army for their dedication to peace, security, and development. He noted that the partnership between the state government and the Nigerian Army has been mutually beneficial.
In his address, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, Maj. Gen. Nosakhare Ugbo, highlighted the invaluable role of civilian participation in nation-building. He stated that the Nigerian Army seeks to solidify its relationship with the public to promote responsible social media practices.
Maj. Gen. Ugbo added that the social media seminar and other initiatives organized by the Nigerian Army reflect its commitment to continuous engagement with critical stakeholders. This, he said, is essential for gaining understanding and support while strengthening collective efforts to counter national security threats.
Maj. Gen. Ugbo expressed optimism that the event’s theme, which explores the role of social media in the nation’s unpredictable and fluid security environment, will remind stakeholders of their collective responsibility toward national security and the consequences of social media users' actions.
The Commander Corps of Artillery, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Markus Kangye, described the seminar as an opportunity to educate the youth about the Nigerian Army's activities, the importance of national security, and overall public well-being.
Maj. Gen. Kangye stressed that social media should not only be a platform for information sharing but also a means to equip the youth with the knowledge to safeguard national security through positive and responsible use of social media.
He called the theme of the event timely and essential, given the current security challenges in the North Central Region of the country. He also reiterated that the misuse of social media poses significant risks to the nation's growth and development.
Dr. Ehiz Odigie, in her paper presentation titled "Leveraging the Use of Social Media for Enhanced National Security and Development," emphasized the need for collective responsibility among citizens for national development.
She urged citizens to use social media platforms to add value through advocacy, community engagement, and other constructive activities.
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