Blogging for Social Development: Social Media Hangout Debuts In Awka, Anambra State
On Monday, January 2016, Anambra’s rising status as the safest and trending state in Nigeria paved way for a Social Media Hangout (SMH). The event held at Karaoke Lounge, Prince Paradise Hotels, Awka is the maiden edition of the gathering of social media influencers. Taking “Meeting to Know” as a theme, this monthly activity will unite Social Media players across Anambra’s cyberspace as well as introduce “Connect, Convince, Convert” as the new initiative and better approach to dwelling on the online community.
The event starting at 6:00 pm was attended by about 100 guests consisting of bloggers coming from a variety of backgrounds. Among them, there were members from Anambra Online Publishers, representatives from Students Community Bloggers; members of Online Publishers Association of Nigeria; and other high earning bloggers. Additionally, Facebook and Twitter Dwellers also showed up including persons from Diaspora like Anugo Ezekaka (London), Obinna Akorah (Turkey) and Ben Umeh (Lagos) amongst others. As special guests, there were Sir Willie Nwokoye (Principal Secretary to Gov Willie Obiano), Chido Obidiegwu, James Eze, Emeka Ozumba and Mike Ogbuekwu (Senior Special Assistants to Anambra State Governor on Events, Media, Publicity and Agriculture respectively) as well as Mike Meze of Brande Aristotle and Winning Concepts Consortium.
There was also performance from Kingsley Ezekwe, an Anambra Born singer based in Portharcourt and popularly known as Bobie. The act had the gathering to have casual feel and lively content.
The event was opened with a special drink and fresh fish delicacy preceded by self introduction by all that was present. Amidst the merriment and a soft classical tune, Ifeanyi Aniagoh, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Willie Obiano on Social Media, welcomed the guests and explained the need for the Hangout. He discussed about Gov Willie Obiano’s commitment to creating online leaders showing competitive trait for global challenges and excellent leadership, entrepreneurship and social responsibility.
Moreover, he frowned at youths being enemies at themselves as a result of negative use of the cyberspace. “Social Media Hangout offers us as a new initiative the opportunity to key into Gov Obiano’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship by means of nurturing competent future leaders for global challenges. We have the means to empower ourselves and redirect the thinking of our fellow youths towards building a better future for themselves by making positive use of the Social Media today,” said Aniagoh.
Speaking further, Aniagoh reviewed the activities of Anambra Youths online. He compared the empowerment potentials inherent therein and highlighted a fact that most young people still maintain tendency to take on e-thuggery. “Being induced to attack anyone online makes you an e-thug, a praise singer without future,” he explained.
Willie Nwokoye, dressed in a pair of jeans pants and a shirt to match, was involved in the discussion held for almost 5 hours. He shared his experience when pursuing education. He compared the opportunities of being a young journalist then and now. In his opinion, an effective collaboration, creativity and network from all parties are required to advance quality online activities. “With a quality social media engagement, the youths can alleviate the effects of unemployment,” he said.
Accordingly, youths should be more informed about the potentials that abound online in order to boast standard of living. Prior to the closure, Kelechi Kalu, blogger at breakingnewsngr.com shared his experience at the SMH promising to contribute immensely to ensure social reorientation of the youths. Thanking Gov Obiano for creating the conducive environment for such a historic gathering, Kelechi explained that Social Media Hangout is a unique network providing excellent informative platform and everlasting learning experience matching with individual requirements.
Other than functioning as just a medium of meeting, the Social Media Hangout is also intended to be a place to disseminate information on the importance of decorum, unity of purpose and human resources quality in cyberspace. SMH pictures, videos and stories are published and share to blogs and social media accounts managed by the participants.
At the end of the event, social media users were able to bond and learn more. It was quite private and intimate. Having talked about so many things that matter to the participants as Social Media influencers, they left more motivated to blog for social development.
Ifeanyi ANIAGOH
Senior Special Assistant to Gov Willie Obiano on Social Media
Tel: +234 803 739 1543
Blogger @ www.ifeadinmesi.com
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