Nigerian youths have been urged to use social media positively to attract development and promote national security.
This was disclosed by the Member representing Pankshin, Kanke, Kanam Federal constituency of Plateau State in the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi during the 3rd edition of the Plateau Social Media Award, convened by Alfred Makut Macham, held on Easter Monday 5th April at Elim Top Suit, Rayfield, Jos Plateau State.
Hon. Gagdi in his view advocated for the regulation of social media to control hate speech, blackmailing and negative usage which has implication on national security.
The legislator said “I am always very careful in my opinion in a decision that affects the generality of the people. Personally, as Yusuf Gagdi and not as a representative of the people, I strongly advocate for the registration of social media activities in Nigeria just like it is being regulated in developed countries. He further stated that a lawless community is a hopeless community and so if social media is lawless then it is hopeless. People will decide to use social media to call you all sorts of names but if it is regulated, it will promote national security.
Those awarded at the occasion included Hon Gagdi, who was honoured as the most influential politician and the best legislator in terms of social media usage in engaging political leaders constructively. The Management committee chairman of Riyom Local Government Area, Hon. Mafeng Gwallson was also honoured as the best chairman on the usage of social media supported the slide regulation of social media to control messages that will divide the people.
The former member of Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Prince Vincent Venman Bulus of Vincent Venman Bulus Foundation who was award urged Plateau youths to use the social media to fight a common enemy that divides the people.
Other awardees include wejosrock for best use of twitter, Dr nentawe yilwatda for best use of facebook, Sims beauty place for best use of Instagram, Bed Music Africa for best use of youtube, Viewpoint ng for Best blog, Plateau the beautiful for best social media campaign, Nollywood center plateau for social media innovation, Anista marketing for best use of social media-digital marketing, Beautiful gates foundation for best use of social media,charity/non-profit campaign, Rythm 93.7 for Best use of social media radio/tv station
Also Hashtag tv Africa for best online TV platform, Timdi nkat, social media entrepreneur of the year, Chief micheal george maqual For psma social crusader/activist of the year, Plasmida for Best use of social media government agencies/parastatals, Vincent venman bulus foundation for best use of social media non-governmental organization, Nd shehu kanam for social media youth leadership award of the year, koppe sylvanus joseph a+ computers for psma ict personality of the year, Funny gee for psma entertainer of the year, Satmak dapar for psma online journalist of the year, Young elder for Psma internet sensation of the year (national), Plateau the beautiful for Psma comment section winner and Wilval global resources for Best environmentally friendly organisation
Some special recognition awards were also presented to Nigerian International footballer ahmed musa, Music legend dantala & group and Miss sylvia ulan Andrew the girl who recorded success in WEAC examination.
The event started earlier with a Webinar Themed “Exploring The Innovative & Creative Industry Opportunities On The New Media” with the Director-General ITF, Sir Joseph Ari delivering a keynote address in which he talked about “The ITF and Youth Empowerment in ICT”
Sir Ari said “the ITF, which is the leading Federal Government Agency with the mandate to provide, promote and encourage the acquisition of skills in industry and commerce in Nigeria, has been at the forefront of skills acquisition for job creation and poverty reduction, especially since the assumption of office of the incumbent management in 2016.”
The Occasion was chaired by Hon Stephen Jings, the Commissioner, Federal Character Commission Representing Plateau State.
