Gaidam wants social media to support good governance

Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe state has said that regardless of its numerous weaknesses, the social media can be used to promote good governance if well handled.

Opening 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 Wednesday the governor called for effective use of the social media by media practitioners.

The Governor described social media as a welcome development as a tool for information dissemination adding that the sum total of online communication channels is to promote community interaction, content sharing, and collaboration.

Gaidam further observed  that social media promotes good governance by allowing people to report crime when they notice any and forward their complaints or comments on government policies and programmes accordingly.

“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 religions. Such negative attitudes causes unnecessary tension among law-abiding citizens”, he said.

The governor, therefore, charged users and influencers of social media to concentrate on ‘value-focused thinking’ by understanding and respecting other people’s views as well as their privacy and confidentiality of classified information.

The governor, 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.