Youths urged to use social media to demand accountability from leaders

The Head of Department of Information and Media Studies Bayero University, Kano, Dr Nura Ibrahim has urged youths who are afraid of the consequence of demanding accountability from their leaders to seek for alternative means through the social media platforms.

Dr. Nura gave this charge at lecture presentation on Social Media for Accountability Governance in Nigeria organized by Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) with support of MacArthur Foundation, today Tuesday 29th of June at the Centre’s head office in Kano.

He said that technology can serve as a powerful tool for public opinion that could compels leaders to be accountable, adding, ‘’I expect that if there is an issue with national interest, youth should take to the social media, make an issue of it, demand accountability from the parties concerned.’

Dr Nura, however cautioned social media users to discern between credible information from malicious posts, adding that if one stands on the path of truth, he can’t do anything against the truth but for the truth.

Meanwhile, speaking earlier, the chairman of the occasion Professor Isma’il A Zango, who is the director of Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Mambayya, tasked the youth to verify any information or news before posting it on social media.

He added that some social media users, influencers and self-styled warriors are using their social media platforms and fringe websites to proliferate misinformation and fake news, for just growing their online followership.

Professor Isma’il Zango urged the youth to post genuine and accurate information on their social media platforms in order to draw the attention of our leaders for accountability.

He further stated that youth can youth social media to bring about positive changes and reforms in the country. Also social media can be used to hold government officials accountable for their action which in normal circumstances cannot be done. He added

The lecture is part of CITAD’s and MacArthur Foundation efforts to train 500 youth in the country on how to use Social Media to demand for accountability from their leaders in the country as stated by the Communication Officer of the organization, Malam Ali Sabo.