Social media should be for development and not destruction- Amosun

Governor Ibikunle Amosun says Nigerians should use the Social media as a Weapon of Mass Development and not a Weapon of Mass Destruction.

Amosun stated this on Tuesday in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital at a programme in commemoration of the 2017 World Television Day celebration organised by the Broadcast Journalists' Association of Nigeria (BJAN) with the theme "Impact of Electronic Media on Governance and Political Economy in Nigeria."

The Governor who was represented by the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye said the positive and progressive use of Social media will go a long way in the development of the country.

He appreciated the media for always been a partner in progress in the development of the State, by serving as bridge between the government and the governed, as well as putting the government on its toes in its Mission to rebuild the State.

A lawyer and human rights activist, Festus Keyamo SAN who delivered the lecture, which is theme of the event said that electronic media have taken over as "number one weapon" to fight insecurity in Nigeria and around the world.

Keyamo said the electronic media had been expanded beyond traditional radio and television to encompass social media, which according to him, commands largest followers in the world.

He described the new media as fastest platform of sending and receiving information that could be explored by security agencies to track down criminals in shortest possible time, a position the State Police Commissioner, Ahmed Iliyasu supported.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, however, warned Federal Government against curtailing the use of social media, but added that purveyors of abusive and inflammatory comments should be brought to book.

He added that the social media have strengthened citizens' power to hold government accountable and participate actively in governance.

He maintained that the aborted move by the National Assembly to pass Social Media Bill would have amounted to "using sledge hammer to kill a mosquito."

In his welcome address, BJAN President, Kazeem Olowe said that electronic media have played vital roles in the political and economic development of Nigeria since its inception.

Olowe said that as a body of broadcast journalists the association would continue to be peoples' advocate, promoter of truth, fairness, justice and equity.

He added that the association which started with 12 members last year now boasts of more than 500 members across Nigeria. 

The programme also featured awards presentation to Keyamo, Iliyasu, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dayo Adeneye, the Chairman of Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the State, Alhaji Ibrahim Olaniyan and the Chairman, DAKTAD Hotel, Abeokuta, Hon Habeeb Ajayi.