On 14th of Febuary, 2021, Abia State witnessed the first edition of its Abia Social Media Converge with the theme “Social Media for Good Governance.” It was very educative, informative, entertaining and full of positive impacts. From all indications, the aim of the organizers were achieved. It is now on record that the ‘Abia Social Media Converge’ is the first of its kind in the history of Abia State and Nigeria in general.
It was a convergence of Abia youths, people from different works of life and Abia political figureheads who came together to deliberate and understand the importance of social media in promoting peace, unity, the achievements of those in government and also in checkmating the activities government. Social media can function as a catalyst in promoting the I-can-do spirit of the average Nigerian, as well as enhance both social and economic development of the country.
Femi Adesina, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, who was the guest speaker of the event, took Abia youths on a memory lane, through the advantages and disadvantages of social media, and its role in ensuring good governance not only in Nigeria but across the globe. According to Adesina “social media can be used to hold government accountable, it is useful in drawing the attention of the government to something that is important, to promote our Nigerian goods, unity and good governance and if not properly utilized and managed, it can be distructive.”
He commended Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State for remaining focused in delivering of signature projects across the state with his “Kinetic Abia” amidst all the social media distraction and attacks on him. He further acknowledged the effort of the governor’s media team saying “Abia state government has a very strong social media team.”
The Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Orji, called for constructive criticism. He opined that constructive criticism on social media or any other form of media remains a vital tool used to put leaders in check and to draw their attention on what needs to be done for the citizens.
The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, used the platform to enumerate some of his achievements across the five pillars of his administration which includes; the completion of 105 road projects across the state, 4 new bridge projects in Aba, Ohafia, Arochukwu and Umunneochi, construction of Abia Investment House in Umuahia, construction of ASOPADEC headquarters in Umuahia, construction of 482 new classroom blocks across the state, building of 4 new model schools, retraining of Abia school teachers using local and international education providers, launching of school feeding programme, construction of new infectious disease hospital (IDH) and COVID-19 laboratories in Aba and Umuahia, construction of 4 new general hospital facilities in Okeikpe, Obingwa, Ikwuano and Arochukwu, construction of a new mother and child hospital in Umuahia, the launch of Abia State Telehealth Initiative and linked 772 PHC, establishment of 5 cottage rice mills in Bende, Ofeme, Uzuakoli, Ache, Atani Abam, etc.
The governor also enlightened the youths on where his administration is headed with Enyimba Economic City, the plans ahead, the benefits of the Economic City to Abia and its citizens. According to Ikpeazu, Abia is on motion and has left where it used to be. The social media should be used in promoting Abia, the industrious spirit of the average Aba man, our locally made products (Made-in-Aba) that have gained world recognition and not to demarket the effort of our people.
Finally, social media remains a vital tool in our present democratic setting and can be used to promote and checkmate good governance. The youths who mostly use the social media should do so wisely while desisting from becoming willing tools in the hand of detractors who use the social media to ferment mischief.
