Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam has declared open a training workshop on the effective use of social media for public information dissemination organized for information officers in government ministries, departments and agencies and local government councils.
While declaring open the ceremony, the governor described social media as a welcome development as tools of information dissemination.
“Social media which are the sum total of online communication channels that promote community interaction, content sharing, and collaboration are new innovations brought about by information and communication technologies and should be embraced by all”, the governor said.
Governor Gaidam said social media promote good governance by allowing people to report crime when they notice any and forward their complaints or comments on government policies and programmes.
However, the governor also noted that while social media can be used to project good, they can and are often used to mar good as well.
“You are aware that social media are also used by some individuals to post unverified information and defame the character of people contrary to the teachings of religion. Such negative attitudes cause unnecessary tension among law-abiding citizens”, he said.
The governor, therefore, charged users of social media and social media influencers to concentrate on ‘value-focused thinking’ by understanding and respecting other people’s views as well as respecting the privacy of individuals and the confidentiality of classified information.
Governor Gaidam , who also noted the role of the press as tools of unity and national cohesion, said the media can make or mar the fortunes of the country by their actions.
“It is, therefore, their duty to unite and not disunite, inform, educate and enlighten the people on government policies and programmes for the development of the nation”, he said.
“I also urge the users of social media to equally follow the footsteps of patriotic journalists by being objective and guided by the fear of Almighty Allah in the information that they disseminate”, the governor added.
