In Ilorin yesterday, the Department of Civil Military Affairs Nigerian Army organised a seminar for social media influencers, bloggers, and online journalists in Kwara State. The seminar was held at De-Peace Hotel and Suites, University of Ilorin Road, Ilorin. The theme of the seminar was emerging trends on social media and its impact on national security. The seminar is the 31st edition the Nigerian Army has organised across the country.
Different speakers took turns to call on the youths and other content creators to always put national interest above any other interest when creating content and making posts on social media platforms.
The first speaker, Dr Ehiz Odigie-Okpataku called on social media influencers, bloggers and online journalists to rally support for the Nigerian Army and also encourage them to enlighten the general public through creative content instead of inflammatory and desperate blogging.
On his part, Prof Omotayo Olatunbosun Tope enjoined participants to be responsible while using social media. Using different musical skills, Prof Omotayo emphasised the dangers of misinformation and fake news for the general security of the country.
The representative of Kwara State Governor, the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Ms Nafisat Buge, appreciated the Nigerian Army for their service to the nation. She also thanked the Army for trying to build responsive Civil-Military relations, which is capable of improving the quality service of the Army and thereby improving national security.
In her words, “as citizens, we appreciate what you are doing to protect us. With this kind of programme, the Nigerian Army has proved once again that they are responsible and responsive too. I would like to advise that we all stand up and be part of the solutions rather than being part of the Nigerian problem. It is high time Nigerian youths learnt that responsible use of social media is an act of patriotism. If we all play our parts, Nigeria will be better off.”
Present during the seminar were the representatives of Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP), Kwara State Government, Students of Higher institutions in the State and other who is who in the online space in Kwara State. The occasion also witnessed pep talk from the two most popular comedians of Kwara origin, Abiola Abdulgafar ‘The Cute Abiola’ and Maryam Apaokagi ‘Taaooma’.
