Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu,  Sunday urged bloggers as perception builders to focus on things that will build and strengthen the unity of Nigeria rather than emphasising  primordial sentiments.

 "Our problems are existential, and we seem to be looking in the wrong directions for solutions", he said in his remarks at the Abia Social Media Converge which held at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia

“We need to stop emphasising those things that separate us along religious, political and ethnic lines.

“I advise social media users to emphasis things that unite us as a nation,” the governor stressed. 

The event organised by the state government with the theme, 'Social Media for Good Governance', also featured the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President, Mr Femi Adesina as Lead Speaker.

The governor maintained that the average Nigerian youth “is intelligent, industrious and has capacity to give meaningful contributions that will engender socio-economic development”.

He added that the speed, coverage and visual attributes which the social media offers could be used to promote the efforts made by the government to improve the citizens’ welfare.

“If you understand the agenda of the government and that its agenda will add value to the society, then promote it through social media"

“This understanding will enable you to offer constructive criticism to the government when it begins to move in the wrong direction.

In his presentation, Adesina, commended the state government for organising the event, and described the theme as timely.

Adesina noted that the importance of engaging stakeholders on maximising the benefits of social media for positive impacts could not be over-emphasised.

Adesina argued that whether we acknowledge it or not, the social media exists with potentials that could be used either destructively or negatively.

The President's aide who lamented that destructive criticism and hatred propagated on social media is mind boggling however warns that the Cyber Crime Act 2015 criminalises acts like cyber stalking and other negative tendencies on the social media

“We must apply personal responsibility in the usage of social media, so that we don’t run foul of the law", he counseled.

He however added that there are lots of positive things the social media can be used for like holding the government accountable, and drawing attention of government to urgent matters that needs attention.

According to him, “There is a lot of self-development that can be gained through the use of social media.

“Social media should be seen as a creative and constructive feedback tool where the citizens contribute to governance,” he said.

Adesina urged government agencies to maintain strong presence on  social media platforma to give regular updates about government activities and receive feedback from the citizebs


Earlier, Hon Chinedum Orji, the Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, said that it was unfortunate that social media was being used for destructive purposes.

Orji urged the youth to utilise their various social media platforms as effective tools to give constructive criticisms and to keep their leaders in check.