COVER
The Use of Social Media and the Costs to the Economy
By Nick Agule
Recently I had a need to access the WhatsApp group for my class at St John’s Seminary, Wonersh in Surrey, England, and the last time a post was made in the group was on July 20, 2021!
Instructively it’s important to note that the Admin of this group (which I am one of them) did not need to make any rules about what members are to post and what not to post to the group.
There was no need for the Admin to threaten sanctions against erring members.
Since the group is for a class at the Seminary, people on their own volition post only matters related to the class. Even the Queen’s husband died, there is Covid in the land, Boris Johnson is doing or not doing what is expected of him, an MP was murdered, birthdays have come and gone, anniversaries have been celebrated, jokes are there, daily or Sunday sermons are preached but from July to November (5 months) no single message was posted to the group about these happenings in England because nobody had anything RELATED TO THE GROUP to post as there are groups for different purposes! The Admin have not been busy monitoring the group so that violators will be sanctioned!The discipline of WhatsApp group members as highlighted above is totally at variance with the usage of the app in Nigeria where despite different WhatsApp groups been setup for different purposes, members post any and everything under the sun to all groups regardless of the aims and objectives of the groups.
The Admin for Nigerian WhatsApp groups first have to make rules on what to post or not but these rules are blatantly disobeyed and the Admins are always busy scanning through hundreds or even thousands of messages to police the groups.The sad thing is that the violators of these simple rules are expected to be responsible citizens such as mothers and fathers, professors, medical doctors, lawyers, accountants, military and police officers etc. Even the clergy and religious are not left out either.
When a typical Nigerian WhatsApp account is accessed, it is common to see hundreds of messages waiting in so many groups but 99% of these messages are forwarded, there is hardly anything original! People are lazy and cannot think, compose and write original thoughts on anything! It is like we all now have PhDs in forwarding technology.
The worst part is that we don’t even bother to double check, do due diligence or confirm the contents of the messages we are forwarding thus have unknowingly turned ourselves into accomplices of criminals who are out to harm people online. So, clear 419 job adverts with a url such as www.nigeriajobs.com/firs purporting to be FIRS recruitment is quickly forwarded and goes viral very quickly.
Common cybersense should warn that the domain name nigeriajobs.com is not the official FIRS domain which is www.firs.gov.ng and that the nigeriajobs.com domain name though with an extension /fir does not and cannot make it official FIRS publication.
The other terrible thing with Nigerians use of WhatsApp is that our sense of cybersecurity is zero! WhatsApp has made it possible that you can transfer your account from one phone to another. When you want to do this transfer, WhatsApp will send a code to the old phone which you are to apply to the new phone to move your WhatsApp account to the new phone. Now when criminals get your number (which we supply freely on social media when someone says they want to dash free data or things like that) they setup a WhatsApp account on their phone using your number.
WhatsApp thinks it’s you who wants to transfer your account, so a code is sent to your phone. The criminal needs that code to steal your WhatsApp account, so the criminal puts a bold call to you and says there’s an online meeting bla bla and they need you to send them the code so that they’ll register you for the meeting. Profs, Drs, Barrs etc without interrogating this criminal just read out the code to them! Once the criminal enters the code on their phone, your WhatsApp account has left your phone to the criminal’s phone. People in your group will just see a message that your number has changed to so and so number.
The criminal is busy reading all your WhatsApp messages, if they have enough information they can steal your money in the bank, they also infiltrate your WhatsApp groups and begin to call more people asking them for codes. Some of the criminals even blackmail you for ransoms if they see shady dealings in your WhatsApp messages. With your WhatsApp account in their hands, there are endless possibilities of what crime they can perpetrate with your data.
Anytime someone posts on social media that their accounts have been hacked and advising friends are to beware, it is a confirmation that they behaved recklessly online and thus allowed some miseducated liferals to scam them. Simple cybersecurity defence measures like 2-factor authentication would have mitigated against such a risk!
The Downsides of the Abuse of WhatsApp Groups:
Unfortunately, the abuse of social media platforms such as WhatsApp in Nigeria has negative implications for the individuals, businesses and the nation including the following.
1. Too much junk forwarded to WhatsApp groups keeps Nigerians always on their phones scrolling through the messages because there’s just too much garbage which people have to sieve through to avoid missing something important. People sit in important meetings and functions but are fixated on their phones. People are on social outings, but they aren’t talking to each other because they are on their phones! Parents are paying no attention to kids because the phones are engaging both! Even at places of worship, people pull out their phones and are scrolling through it. There is so much time spent on the phones going through junk that could otherwise have been committed to more productive work.
2. Constantly being on our phones robs us of thinking and reflective times. The biggest ideas are birthed in our quiet moments, but social media contains so much noise that we are no longer thinking.
3. It costs money to buy data to access WhatsApp and other social media handles. With so much junk images and videos, Nigerians are throwing trillions of Naira down the drain without enjoying value for money.
4. Constant access to social media affects our mental health. We become addicted. Then some of the contents erode our long-held principles and values and we become junkies to manipulators who brainwash us with their ideologies. In tragic cases people have taken their lives spurred on by social media con messages.
5. Relationships are strained and even broken because we are paying too much attention to our phones instead of our partners!
6. National productivity is affected because workers are spending too much time on social media instead of delivering on their job responsibilities.
7. Social media affects driver safety too as accidents have happened because people were paying attention to their phones instead of on the roads. Other industrial and domestic accidents have happened because of loss of attention by workers who are distracted by the content on their phones.
Conclusion
Social media is a great innovation because opportunities and long lasting personal and business relationships are built and sustained. However, the wrong use of social media as highlighted in this article has negative consequences which must be avoided. One way to overcome addiction to social media is to set aside a specific time daily for social media access and keep strictly to it. Also, members of WhatsApp groups should exercise restraint, decorum and discipline in the use of the groups.
Agule writes from the UK and can be reached on: Twitter: @NickAgule; Email: nick.agule@yahoo.co.uk; Facebook: Nick Agule, FCA; WhatsApp: +447495164578
By Lubem Myaornyi, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives seeking the preparations and approval of a N24.6 billion Promissory Notes to reimburse Nasarawa and Kebbi States on the costs of their Airports taken over by the Federal Government.
Nasarawa is to be reimbursed N9.5 billion while Kebbi is to be reimbursed to the tune of N15.
1 billion.In the letter read by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the Plenary on Thursday, the President said, the takeover of the airports was in line with Item 3 of the Second Schedule of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which placed the ownership of Airports and other Aviation related infrastructure in the exclusive list.
Similarly, the President in a separate letter presented an Executive Bill, the National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 for the House consideration.
The President said the bill seeks the creation of an agency for Nigeria to achieve world standards and codes on Doping by signatories to the international regulations.
He urged the House to give the Bill a speedy consideration before the commencement of the Olympic Games coming up later in July.
In another letter, the President sought the approval of a supplementary budget for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for the 2023 fiscal year.
Tinubu Transmits Bill on Sports Performance Enhancement Drug to Senate
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a bill to the Senate seeking to prohibit Nigerian athletes from consuming substances that enhance performance during or after competitions.
The president’s request was contained in a letter read by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who presided over the plenary on Thursday.
The bill titled “National Anti-Doping Bill 2024”, if passed, will regulate substances that can be consumed by athletes during sporting events.
In the letter, Tinubu said the bill would provide a legal framework for the establishment of the National Anti-Doping Organisation to regulate sporting competitions.
He explained that the establishment of the agency was a requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.
The World Anti-Doping Code (Code) is the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sports organisations and among public authorities around the world.
Tinubu noted that the law will help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences and the inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events.
“In accordance with the provisions of section 58 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, I forward herewith the National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 for the kind consideration of the Senate.
“The National Anti-Doping Bill 2024 seeks to create an administratively independent National Anti-Doping organisation, which is a cardinal requirement for Nigeria to achieve compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code and the international standard for code compliance by signatures.
The enactment of this vital legislation will also help Nigeria avoid the imposition of signatory consequences, the inclusion of laws of hosting and participating rights at regional, continental and world championships or major athletic events”, Mr Tinubu added.
The president, however, urged the lawmakers to consider the bill before the Olympic Games seminar scheduled to be held in Paris in July for Nigerians to be part of the competition.
“It is my hope that this submission will receive the humankind expeditious consideration of the distinguished members of the Senate of the Federal Nigeria for passage of the same to law before the Olympic Games seminar in Paris in July 2024.
“Please accept, distinguished president, the assurances of our highest consideration. Regards.”
The Senate at the plenary on Thursday passed through second reading, a Bill seeking for an Act to establish the Health Infrastructure Development Agency to provide a comprehensive framework to guide the planning, financing, construction, maintenance, and regulation of healthcare infrastructure in Nigeria.
The proposed legislation titled; “Bill for an Act to establish Health Infrastructure Development Agency,” was sponsored by the Minority Whip, Senator Osita Ngwu.
Leading the debate on its general principles, Ngwu who represents Enugu West senatorial district explained that the bill seeks to promote development and improvement of healthcare infrastructure so as to enhance healthcare access, quality, and delivery across the country.
He further explained that it seeks to strengthen the healthcare system by focusing on the modernization of healthcare facilities by leveraging public-private partnerships for sustainable infrastructure development.
The lawmaker lamented that the Nigerian healthcare industry faces challenges associated with outbound medical tourism, inadequate medical personnel and deteriorating medical infrastructure.
Making reference to a report by the International Trade Administration, which stated that Nigeria is still underdeveloped, lacks modern medical facilities and its healthcare indicators were some of the worst in Africa, Ngwu recalled that to reverse the trend, the government approved the second National Strategic Health Development Plan (2018-2020).
He pointed out that part of the objective of the plan was to improve availability and functionality of health infrastructure required to optimize service delivery at all levels, saying that it’s against this background that this Bill is proposed.
The lawmaker added that the Bill was a bold attempt at not only reversing the medical tourism of Nigerians to other countries, but also seeks to make Nigeria a medical destination hub within the shortest possible time.
“Healthcare infrastructure constitutes a major component of the structural quality of a health system. It is a key pillar that supports the aim of promoting improved standard of medical care and wellbeing. The Bill outlines the responsibilities and powers of a Board, emphasizes collaboration and coordination among stakeholders, and provides for the issuance of regulations and guidelines to support effective implementation of its objectives.
“The Bill proposes the establishment of an Agency to administer the framework for policy direction, standards, guidelines, efficient construction processes, and quality control measures. The Agency would also ensure that healthcare facilities are designed, constructed, and maintained to meet the highest standards and support the delivery of quality healthcare services.
“The Bill emphasizes the importance of rural healthcare access and outlines strategies for addressing healthcare disparities in rural areas. By implementing these strategies, Nigeria can enhance healthcare access and delivery in rural communities, improving health outcomes and reducing disparities. Provision is also made to accommodate the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and the types of PPP models that can be employed. By implementing these guidelines, Nigeria can effectively leverage the expertise and resources of the private sector to improve healthcare access, affordability, and quality,” Ngwu said.
Thereafter the Bill was put to a voice vote by the President of the Senate; Godswill Akpabio who presided over the session and it was passed and referred to the Committee on Health Institutions.
Senate Passes North West Development Commission Establishment Bill
Similarly, the Senate on Thursday passed the North West Development Commission (NWDC) establishment bill, to address challenges facing the seven states in the zone.
This followed the adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties, on the NWDC (Establishment) at Thursday’s plenary.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Shehu Kaka from Borno State said the purpose of the bill was well structured and strategically streamlined, for the socio-economic development of the North West zone of the country.
He added that the commission’s establishment would bring the federal government closer to the north western states, and meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people.
Kaka, therefore, urged the Senate to pass the bill.
The lawmakers unanimously passed the bill when it was put to a voice vote by the deputy senate president, Barau Jibrin who presided over the plenary.
In his remarks, Barau commended his colleagues for supporting the bill’s passage.
He said the commission would address the challenges, facing the zone and, by extension, the country.
Describing the North West as the food basket of the country, he said the commission would also work toward the restoration of infrastructure, destroyed by Boko Haram insurgents and bandits in the zone.
“So if we are serious about ensuring we have food, and for food security to be attained in this country, we must provide the necessary infrastructure for all our key sectors to thrive well.
“This commission is needed. I commend you all for supporting this; no one said no. Everybody supported this idea. So, now we are pushing the Bill to the House of Representatives for their approval and then, to Mr President for assent,” he said.
From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Suspected armed herdsmen again reportedly killed a pregnant woman, 10 other persons during attack on Akilo community in Usha council ward in Agatu West of Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
It was gathered that the victims were killed in their homes by the marauders who invaded the community at about 3:30pm on Sunday.
The caretaker chairman of Agatu LGA, Mr.
Yakubu Ochepo, who confirmed the killings, said that “11 people were killed. ”Ochepo said of the number of deaths recorded, seven corpses have been recovered.
According to him, A pregnant woman corpse, an elderly man and that of five youths have been recovered, adding that the community members were able to achieve this through the aid of soldiers and Air force personnel deployed to the area.
“Soldiers and Air Force went there yesterday (Sunday), to recover the corpses. There were gunshots and they were running away only to regroup again.
“I’m in Makurdi now to report to Operations Whirl Stroke. We need more hands. We hear they captured some alive and threw some into the river but we are still waiting for more reports from the area.
“We have not been able to recover the remaining four corpses yet,” he explained.
Ochepo appealed to both the state and Federal Governments to take drastic action towards ending the carnage by deploying more security personnel to Agatu to check the activities of the killer herdsmen in the LGA.
When contacted, the Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene said she was yet to get information about the fresh attack in Agatu.
It would be recalled that three farmers were reportedly killed by gunmen suspected to be herdsmen at Ogbaulu community in Agatu LGA.
The victims were working on their farms when the herders came to slaughter them.
Similarly, on April 9, 15 persons were killed after suspected herders attacked same Ogbaulu community.
It was gathered that the attackers conducted relentless attacks on the area for two weeks, invading all the villages the area.
The Chairman of Agatu listed some of the communities currently under siege by armed herders in Agatu LGA as: Olegomakwu, Onahe, Ocholonya, Okokolo, Ugboju, Olegobidu, Odugbeho, Odejo, Ogbaulu, Imwenyi, Adana, Ologba-Gishu, Iwarri, Ejima-gope, Ejima-gochi, Ikpele and Okpokpolo.
Para Badminton: Bolaji, Chigozie qualify for Paris 2024 Paralympics
ShareThe duo of Mariam Eniola Bolaji and Jeremiah Chigozie have qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games coming up from...
FCTA Moves to Curb Medical Tourism
ShareBy Laide Akinboade, AbujaFederal capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has pledged to provide the necessary support for the successful completion and...
Ortom, Ode, Asemakaha Felicitates With Alia on 58th Birthday
ShareFrom Attah Ede, Makurdi Former Governor of Benue State, Chief Samuel Ortom, the incumbent Deputy Governor, Barr Sam Ode and...
NAICOM, RMAFC Collaborate on Economic Diversification
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, AbujaThe Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, Mr. Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, and his management team have met with the members...
22,000 Beneficiaries to Get N50,000 Nano Businesses Grant in Kogi
ShareFrom Joseph Amedu, LokojaNo fewer than 22,000 beneficiaries in Kogi will get N50,000 each, under the Presidential Conditional Grant Scheme...
CBN Unveils Strategy to Boost Remittances
ShareBy Tony Obiechina, AbujaThe Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has activated plans to double foreign-currency remittance flows through formal channels...
Accountant General Declares N318.5b Revenue Inflow in First Quarter
ShareBy Ubong Ukpong, AbujaThe Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs Oluwatoyin Madein on Wednesday said total revenue inflows to the...
Senate Charges Army, Police to Increase Presence in Uzo-Uwani to Forstall Peace
ShareBy Eze Okechukwu, AbujaThe Senate yesterday charged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and Chief of Army Staff...
Ebonyi LG Polls: EBSIEC Gives 3rd June Ultimatum for Political Parties to Conclude Primaries
ShareBy Godwin Okeh, AbakalikiEbonyi State Independent Electoral Commission, EBSIEC, on Wednesday gave 3rd June 2024 ultimatum for all political parties...
Reps Member Calls for Urgent Intervention in Federal Teaching Hospitals
ShareBy David Torough, AbujaThe Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Health Institutions, Amos Magaji has called for an urgent financial...