Social Media: A tool in promoting good governance by Nnenna Eze
I have never been one to pick up a newspaper to read about trending political or government issues. To me news in traditional media was often delivered in a “stiff manner” which heightened my disinterest. However, one thing has changed my perception on this and that is social media.
Since the advent of social media, keeping up with the news has been really interesting and exciting because in addition to reading the news on twitter or on a blog, i had the opportunity to express my views and interact with other like minds on various societal issues. News these days now has a real time factor “as e dey hot” aka “Trending”, which makes it even more interesting and engaging. There are no limits to disseminating news on social media as you are assured that the information put out there is likely to reach places beyond your imagination.
Just recently, Public and Private Development Center (PPDC) launched a toll free number 0800Budeshi to encourage project reporting. The aim of the toll free line is to offer citizens a free platform to report on projects that have been abandoned or dilapidated in their various communities at no cost. The response garnered when the news was shared on social media was amazing!. In one day we reached a total of 5,548 accounts.
Social media has increased citizens empowerment and also provided a huge platform for citizens to voice out their opinions. Civil society organisations (CSOs) have also taken advantage of these platforms to engage and interact with Nigerians in a bid to improve good governance. For example, during the Budeshiwaka tour, we used twitter to provide real time information gotten from the beneficiaries of the projects. This gave an opportunity for people online to give feedback and join the conversation regardless of their location. Also, civic tech platforms like Udeme and Tracka, use social media to directly engage with the senators and house of representatives on abandoned projects in their communities.
Social media has gone beyond mere social interactions to a server intellectual platform focusing on different topics ranging from national economy to global politics to governance to lifestyle tips, entertainments and fashion. It is very important that Nigerians take advantage of the non ending benefits of social media to speak up on societal issues and promote good governance.
