Harvest of Awards as COPBSMI Celebrates Ibom Social Media Day in Uyo
…as Lawyers harps on professionalism in media practice
The serene city of Uyo, came alive on Sunday evening, June 30, 2024 as Coalition of Online Publishers, Bloggers and Social Media Influencers, COPBSMI dished out several awards to deserving individuals and organizations to celebrate Ibom Social Media Day.
Ibom Social Media Day debuted in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, was organized by COPBSMI to commemorate World Social Media Day 2024.
The event which took place at Sheergrace Arena, Nsikak Eduok Avenue Uyo, had as it’s theme: Rebranding Akwa Ibom State in Contemporary Nigeria for Economic Growth and Sustainable Development.
Speaking at the event as Keynote Speaker, a university don, Prof. Nsikak Idiong of the Department of Journalism, University of Uyo, emphasized the need for synergy between government and social media practitioners to promote the state positively, so as to attract investment opportunities which will enhance economic growth.
He stressed that by reshaping perceptions and highlighting the state’s strengths and potentialities, rebranding can make Akwa Ibom more attractive to domestic and international investors.
Idiong added that effective rebranding can showcase Akwa Ibom’s culturage heritage, natural beauty, and improved infrastructure, potentially leading to increased tourism revenue.
Speaking further, the university don maintained that, “A positive brand image can make the state more appealing to skilled professionals, potentially reversing the much-lamented brain drain and attracting talent from other parts of the country and even the world.”
While commending the organizers for a timely event, Idiong noted that online journalism practices have the potential to improve economic fortunes of the state, calling for collaborative effort for economic sustainability.
In his presentation on the Sub-theme: Understanding The Importance of Rebranding in Business and it’s Impact on Brand Identity, a management consultant, Mr. Joseph Marvel, said building a brand is not a product of invention but a product of memory.
“Your goods and services remain as items in the market until you are able to achieve brand equity. Building a brand is not a product of invention but a product of memory. That means a result of the compound interest based on consistency that has earned your products generational preferences,” Joseph added.
Sharing their thoughts on Media Practice and Legal Implications, the Panelists, Barr. Ubong Adiakpan, Barr. Nsikan Abia and Barr. Theodore Williams, advised Journalists and Social Media Influencers to imbibe professionalism in their reportage, stressing the need to verify stories before publication. They maintained that 1999 Constitution (as amended) has guarantee freedom of expression of opinion and thoughts, warning that it shouldn’t be abused.
While commending COPBSMI for putting up such an event to engage the public, they also called for training of social media publishers to protect them from publishing libelous reports which may land them in jail.
In his goodwill message, the Honourable Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Frank Archibong lauded the President of COPBSMI, Ubong Creativity for embarking on productive ventures and for domesticating Social Media Day in Akwa Ibom State.
Archibong, who was represented at the event by Commissioner in Ethical and Attitudinal Reorientation Commissioner, EARCOM, Comrade Tommy Enodien, maintained that Social Media Day is one of such programmes that Government should be interested in, as social media influencers are critical stakeholders in governance process.
“Ubong Creativity is known to us. Ubong Creativity is one of our finest brains. He is one of our very productive young men in Eket and the Honourable Commissioner is very proud of him. And we all know the person of Honourable Commissioner, Frank Archibong, he likes to encourage productive minds like Ubong Creativity. Considering what the whole show is all about, Social Media Day is something we should really applaud Ubong for localizing Social Media Day in Akwa Ibom State.
“I think this is the first being organized in Akwa Ibom State. Before now, it was held globally, but for the first time, it is being hosted here. He deserves to be applauded. These are the kind of programmes that government should be interested in because the Social Media Influencers and Bloggers are very important persons in the system. If you want the system to function well, you have to make sure that all the system are functioning. The fourth estate of the realm are vital members of the society. The Commissioner is very happy with the organizers of this programme,” Enodien added.
The Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Reorientation, Aniekeme Finbarr, who was recognized among Top 50 Akwa Ibom State Social Media Influencers, commended COPBSMI for laying a framework for Akwa Ibom State to be more projected, applauding them for being one of the organizations that have continue to engage on positive discussions.
“I think we need to thank this coalition that we have another organization that have continue to engage. Two of the papers we receive today are wonderful. This organization has done well to lay that framework for Akwa Ibom to be more projected and I have seen the quality of this organization.
Also, in her goodwill message, the Executive Director in Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, NNPCL, Dr. Eunice Thomas, represented by Kemfon Decade, thanked Ubong Creativity for being a voice to many young people in Akwa Ibom State. She commended him for creating awareness among young people which has helped in growing businesses, encouraging him to continue to champion causes that will impact society positively.
Earlier, the President of Coalition of Online Publishers, Bloggers and Social Media Influencers, COPBSMI, Ubong Creativity disclosed that Social Media Day was established in 2010 by Mashable, a global media and technology company to recognize the profound impact of social media on worldwide communication.
“Social Media Day is a day set aside to celebrate the impact of social media on global communication and connectivity. Social Media Day provides opportunity to celebrate how social media has connected people from all over the world, and to showcase the positive role that it has played in shaping society. It is also a day to re-evaluate the positive role that social media has played in shaping society and to renew our commitment to using social media in a positive way.
He mentioned that, “Social media platforms allow people to access information in real time, to connect with others, and to find niche communities. At its best, it makes the world more interconnected. These interactive platforms allow individuals, communities, and organizations to share, co-create, discuss, participate in, and modify user-generated or self-curated content. Social media are used to document memories, learn, and form friendships. They may be used to promote people, companies, products, and ideas. Online communication has brought information to people and audiences that previously could not be reached. It has increased awareness among people about what is happening in other parts of the world.”
“It is on the basis of the above that our organization, Coalition of Online Publishers, Bloggers and Social Media Influencers, COPBSMI, deem it necessary to join the global community to celebrate the valuable contributions and impact of social media platforms on our communities with the establishment of Ibom Social Media Day. It is a day that has come to stay and we will continue to partner with different organizations, government, security agencies and relevant stakeholders to annually celebrate this day in Akwa Ibom State.
He added, “To make the day memorable, we decided to introduce the award aspect of the event to recognize and celebrate the valuable and unquantifiable contributions of social media users, digital marketers, influencers, etc, for their meaningful and tremendous inputs towards the growth and advancement of Akwa Ibom online community, thereby promoting and projecting the image of our dear state positively. We have some deserving individuals and organizations that will be recognize today for using their online presence to promote causes that impacted the society positively.
Creativity stated that Ibom Social Media Day has come to stay in Akwa Ibom State, soliciting for partnership and collaboration to host the event annually in the state.