Three recent episodes prompt me to write this piece; one, Aregbesola hosting the members of the Progressive e-group to a get-together end of the year 2016 dinner party at Leisure Spring Hotel, Osogbo. Two, the cyber bullying that followed the event on the part of some members of the progressive e-group and their antagonists resulting in e-harassing one another, and posting slanderous and atimes abusive things the unfriending and blocking threats and three, the lukeworm attitude of some politicians or leaders in employing the use of social media to show and propagate their intention even at this time because for sure the social media is set to turn things around as Osunites prepare for Osun 2018 Guber election. Take it or leave the race has already started here on the Cyber.
As I attended some social gatherings to herald in the new year 2017 my attention was drawn to the behaviour of friends and some co-guests as they were most of the time glued to their phones browsing whenever there were nothing to discuss openly thus I came to realise that the social media and the Facebook in particular has become a valuable promotional tool. Polititians are reaching impossibly large and diverse amount of people using social media sites. This allows them to promote their intentions and win over sympathisers and new supporters in a way that has never been seen before as information spreads here incredibly Fast. Those polticians that are incubents can't afford to neglect a show off of their achievements at this time.
Important facts about facebook registration showed that 60% of active adults in Osun State are on Facebook thanks to the free education policy of that late Chief Obafemi Awolowo started in the old Western region in the late 50s. Don't be surprised that, that propritress of the beer parlour where you sit and enjoy in the evening is connected on Facebook just like the fish monger, the vegetable and pepper sellers. They have all come to the realisation that mobile phones are not just to receive and make calls so far you make more than the primary school educational standard and a high percentage of of Osun indegenes of age bracket 18 to 80 are qualified and connected.
One advantage of Social Networking is worldwide connectivity as Osun indegenes in the diaspora also follow and contribute to political developments and discussions at home via the social media and this afford them the opportunity to make valuable political decisions.
It so interesting that information spreads incredibly fast from some of us that are connected to so many people on the social media for example the Osun A Dara and Ipadabo Buhari facebook political group that I administer can boast of above 20000 registered followers, Osun A Dara alone has 11800 readers.
My reason for creating this awareness is that important information and atimes false ones can spread like wildfire on social media sites. Politicking involves the use of propaganda some of the time where false and unreliable information are perpetuated and anything can spread to millions of people within hours or days on social media. This also, unfortunately, includes things that are false or made up. Therefore a politician or a political leader just need to stay abreast on the social media particularly on the Facebook at least to follow up and difuse false information.
I agree that social media or poltical campaigns on the social media is still in its infancy compared with traditional broadcast and print media but it’s growing up quickly–poised to become the most significant channel in Osun for politicians that want to engage in a meaningful, measurable way. Social Media is the future of communication,
It is therefore going to be difficult for any government right now to ignore social media.
Yes. As Osun 2018 Guber Race beckons, any politician or leader that thinks he can ignore the impact of the social media and Facebook in particular will be in big trouble.
Photos depict guests at a social gathering that I attended recently glued to their mobile sets browsing. None knew when the photos were taken.
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