THOUGH the latest development regarding the Twitter ban in Nigeria was the recent pronouncement by the federal government that it is currently reconsidering its stand, and that Nigerians, especially those active on this social media space may soon heave a sigh of relief, not a few however believe the ban had done more harm than good, since pronounced over 100 days ago.
For instance, if the figures reeled out at a media briefing held recently, in Lagos, by some civil society groups and non-governmental organisations, to mark the 100 days anniversary of the ban, is to go by, it is apparent that the ban is leaving many of the local businesses and brands worse off, by the day.
At the briefing, the Executive Director, Paradigm Shift, Mr. Gbenga Sesan had stated that over $250,000 is being lost on an hourly basis by Nigerian businesses, as a result of the ban.
Describing the ban as an infringement on Nigerians’ rights, the PI boss noted that the ban had only created more problems than it was meant to solve.
“The ban on Twitter is causing more harm to the government and even the people. We see the ban as one of the means to suppress the freedom of expression of the people. Besides, it has denied many businesses in the country the opportunity to make money legally, through the platform,” he argued.
Interestingly, it is not only the civil society groups that are affected by the ban. Feelers from the nation’s marketing communications space reveal that practitioners are also having their ‘fair’ share of the crisis.
Akeem Oyeola, a digital marketer, would rather see it as a huge disincentive to businesses on that space.
“Twitter remains one of the veritable platforms for marketing, because of its popularity and reach, and many businesses leverage this to enhance their fortunes. The ban has simply reduced our channels of reaching the market, and the effects of such limitations can not be quantified in naira and kobo,” he added.
Another marketing communications practitioner, Yemi Olakunle, would want the ban lifted by the relevant authorities, immediately; describing the losses businesses had incurred in the over 100 days, as a result of the ban as ‘unimaginable’.
“It is like going back to the Stone Age. What we’ve been experiencing in the over 100 days of this ban is that brands and local businesses in Nigeria have not been able to avail themselves the opportunity of this highly influential platform. Local brands and businesses have been having campaigns, outside the platform, a development that has affected the impact of such campaigns.
“This is definitely a negative development for businesses, especially for a profession like ours that rely on such platform to build its clients’ brands,” he argued.
Godwin Anyebe, a marketing communications writer believes the ban has denied practitioners, and even the reading public a very reliable channel of news consumption in this past 100 days.
“As a newsman, you visit verified Twitter handles of celebrities and newsmakers to be able to source information for your readers. Such ‘privilege’ is no longer there, at least for now,” he added.
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