To sensitise and create awareness on the consequences of social media misuse, prolific writer and cultural enthusiast, Mr Anthony Awunor has warned Ubulu-Uku youths to avoid a situation where they would be caught up in slacktivism or armchair activism.
Slacktivism is the practice of supporting a political or social cause by means such as social media or online petitions, characterised as involving very little effort or commitment.
Awunor gave the advice in his lecture at the 2nd Annual Ubulu-Uku General Youth Conference organised by Ubulu-Uku Youth Development Committee (UYDC) which was held at Ubulu Primary School, Ubulu-Uku, Aniocha South LGA of Delta State on Sunday December 31, 2023.
Speaking on the topic “Abuse of Social Media in Our Present Day Life”, the award winning journalist advised the youths to take actions and engage political leaders at both online and offline spaces, adding that propaganda on Facebook, Whatsaap and other social media may not yield the desired results.
He told the youths to expose evils with any available medium they have, but warned that any information pushed out must be verifiable and authentic.
“Although, social media can foster education, connectivity, updates and information, build business community and reputation, one has to be careful on what he or she pushes out on any platform. Wrong posts can send negative signals and it is much more dangerous if the facts are not there. Try as much as possible not push out fake information because Facebook will still remind you about whatever you must have posted after one year. I advise that you don’t push out any information that you are not sure of. It is dangerous”, Awunor warned.
On way forward, Awunor advised users of social media to avoid unnecessary chatting, gossiping, and bullying, adding that posting irrelevant messages on social media can avoidable damage to other person’s reputations.
“It would also be good to have sound knowledge about the security features of social media so that inappropriate content can be avoided”, he added.
Earlier the UYDC president Mr Maduabunechukwu Egboh had pointed out in his annual report that his administration has been going through a lot of challenges and that the political circle is the greatest virus that has eaten deep into the system but more of negative effect than positive.
According to him, many political office holders want to use the youths as political tools negatively and if they can’t get you, then your administration must be frustrated.
Despite the numerous challenges, Egboh listed some of his achievements to include: stopping of invasion of Ubulu-Uku community farmland, war against unlawful land deals, attraction of federal jobs, repair of Ubulu-Uku Eke Market, apprenticeship programmes, payment of ransom for two kidnapped victims, mobilization/ reconciliation of Ndi dibia amongst others.
The youth event was attended by the Executive Chairman of Aniocha South LGA of Delta, Pastor Hon Jude Chukwunwike and chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Delta State Civil Service, Sir Byron Unini who also received an Award. The Permanent Secretary was represented by the Head Personal Management (HPM), Local Education Authority, Aniocha South LGA of Delta, Mr Mark Udeh.
Others who received different categories of awards include: Founder/ President, Doris Amaka Ochei Foundation, Dr Doris Ochei, Sir Peter Onyeisi Nwaefulu, Mr Patrick Ughaja and Azuh Chike Emmanuel.
Others who were at the event were: Director, Direct Labour Agency, Mr Lawrence Ejiofor, Prof Victor Okonji, Aide to Delta State Governor, Hon Joe Ikenwe, Mr Uche Chiemeka, Sir Anthony Okonkwor, multiple award-winning journalist, Anthony Awunor, President of Ezemu Girls’ Grammar School Old Students Association (EGGSOSA), Mrs Rosemary Ofunne and her husband, Mr Bob Ofunne amongst others.
