Roles Of Social Networking In Developing A Nation

Photo credit: Shoemoney.com

N.B: THIS IS A LECTURE DELIVERED BY AYO-AKANO HAMID AKHAMPAPA ON THE 14TH OF MARCH 2016.
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Firstly, what exactly is social networking?

A social networking is a platform to build relationship socially among people who share similar or even different interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections with us, in this modern days, a person of the age rank 10-50 is on (at least) a social networking site, this is a clear fact, and its enough for us to belief that the power of social network in building a nation can not be overlooked. Don't get it twisted, there are many disadvantages of social networking but firstly lets discuss about its advantages to the country, Nigeria in particular. Don't let us forget that there are types of social networking.

1. Forum/websites or blogs, that allows different types of people to interact or pours out their minds on some particular topics based on their own personal opinion.

2. Mobile applications.... minimized to interact with few people you have  met from other platforms like the one above.

Examples of number 1 above is facebook.com twitter.com, academia.edu and our own Nigerian based forum.... nairaland.com

Examples of the second type is bbm, 2go, skype, and of course the one we are interacting on tonight i.e whatsapp.

Now to how they can improve a nation like Nigeria;

Allows open communication, leading to enhanced information discovery and delivery. The above point explains how millions of Nigerians can go to a social networking website like facebook.com to say some things about the issues in the country.... whereby other people can pop in to discover what they are yet to know before, which could even lead to top officials if its about what concerns them, especially the govt. Another easy way is on twitter, even though only few of our leaders are prolific on this platform, but I've seen some that doesn't joke with people's complaints on the site especially when it comes to pointing accused finger to them, they seize the opportunity to make amendments about what their followers are complaining about.

Recognised prolific user of twitter in the nation includes the former Vice-President Atiku, current senate president, Saraki, and popular common sense senator, Sen. Ben Murray Bruce. Not only about listening to pple's talks, they also use the social network to communicate with people across the nation.

Another point is Nationwide Connectivity.

This explains that, No matter if you are searching for a job, or an old friend, info about seeking a positive chase in your career, no easier or faster way to make a connection exists than social media outlets. Although Facebook, Twitter, etal are probably the most well-known social networking communities, new websites are popping up regularly that let people connect and interact over the Web. A typical example of a social networking sites delivering. Job opportunities in this country is jobberman, jobhooked... Example of another one but not indigenous is linkedIn.com.
These sites hav not only given pple job opportunities but gives our youths another point of view that not only d governments can offer job opportunities. Companies that needs workers are posted regularly, and this has helped our nation rapidly on unemployment issues.

Another point is Commonality of Interest.

When you opt to participate in a social network community, you can pick and choose individuals whose likes and dislikes are similar to yours and build your network around those commonalities. For instance, if you are a book lover or have a particular political leaning, you can find and interact with those who share your interest, this keeps our youths in the nation busy with ambitious issues rather than becoming rogues, touts and thugs out there. you will accept with me that if all youths find time to interact with people outside their circles, to talk about what they need to be progressive in life, thuggery act would be reduced especially in the town where we all come from.

Let me quickly drop the last point....... Conviction Of Criminals.

I know after explaining this, some people will be like 'is this true?' but its a fact, few out of many know this 👉 People who often do not think of the consequences of what they post on these social sites. Pictures of themselves doing illegal things, or even bragging posts about crimes they have committed are all things that law enforcement use to persecute these criminals, this cud have reduced crime rate in our nation even if not up to 5%... some if these social networking sites are what they also use to identify and solve existing cases.

These are just few amongst numerous ways social networks can improve a nation.... would have loved to talk about its disadvantages cos there is nothing good without its own negativity.

But the topic tonight doesn't cover the disadvantages. so I rest my case for now.