Yushau Shuaibu, a renowned public relations guru and head of PRNigeria, delivered an insightful presentation on the role of social media in national development and nation-building. This presentation was part of the Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Annual Public Lecture, organized by Adnan Mukhtar & Associates in collaboration with the Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo Foundation, held at Mambayya House in Kano.

In his paper titled “Social Media for National Development and Nation-Building,” Shuaibu emphasized the transformative power of social media as a tool for creating, interacting, and spreading messages. He highlighted the affordability and accessibility of social media, which allows for multimedia content, immediate communication, and widespread reach.

Shuaibu illustrated the rapid growth of social media platforms, noting that it took radio 38 years to reach 50 million users, while television took the same amount of time. In contrast, Facebook garnered over 100 million users in less than nine months from its creation. Today, Facebook boasts 2.8 billion users, and WhatsApp has 2 billion users, underscoring the immense power of social media.

He also discussed the various ways social media enhances transparency, civil engagement, economic development, and community support.

Jafar Jafar and Danbello were mentioned for their efforts in enhancing transparency and civic engagement, while Yakubu Sani Wudil was recognized for his contributions to economic development. Aisha Falke was acknowledged for addressing social issues and uniting community support.

However, Shuaibu also addressed the challenges posed by social media, such as the spread of fake news, misinformation, social division, and polarization. He pointed out that culprits, including politicians and terrorists, often use fake news to achieve their purposes.

To effectively use social media, Shuaibu recommended social media marketing strategies to push brands, increase brand awareness, and improve customer engagement. He emphasized the importance of defining target audiences, improving response times, providing newsworthy content, and incorporating multimedia access.

Adnan Mukhtar, representing the organizing firm, highlighted the significance of the annual public lecture and the role of social media in shaping lives. He praised Professor Adamu Abubakar Gwarzo for his mentorship and contributions to society, both socially and academically.

Dr. Muhammad Israr, President of Maryam Abacha American University, urged attendees to help those in need, especially during these challenging times. He emphasized the role of social media in raising awareness and fostering development.

The event concluded with a call to action for individuals to leverage social media for positive change and nation-building.

The Moses Andishu Foundation(MAF) has distributed relief materials worth over N20 million to indigent persons across Nigeria to mark the yuletide season.

The foundation brought festive cheers to orphans, widows, children in Cross, River, Kaduna and Kano .

In Obudu , Cross River , MAF disbursed food items, cows and rams to the beneficiaries to mark the Christmas and new year festive celebrations.

Traditional rulers, clergy and community leaders also benefitted from the yuletide celebration packages disbursed to members of the beneficiary communities drawn from across the states.

The honcho of the foundation , Moses Ted Andishu, disclosed that the annual MAF end of the year gesture was carried out to commemorate the spirit of Christmas and New Year festivities.

He said MAF was established in 2020 is with the vision and mission to support the needy in the society, adding that , since its creation the organization pursues the alleviation of poverty and offers support to vulnerable groups, now an annual poverty alleviation exercise.

Moses Ted Andishu,who is the CEO of Freivan Support Services Limited, UK in a statement issued at the close of the 2024 festivities, last Thursday , said the beneficiaries were selected from diverse parts of Nigeria.

Our correspondent reports that , the items were distributed to less privileged people, comprising of widows, orphans and aged persons..

Pastor Joseph Andishu, who signed the statement said “Moses Ted Andishu, the CEO of Freivan Support Services Limited is an international award winning entrepreneur (Be Mogul) and philanthropist based in the UK.

“In 2020, when he visited his home, Obudu Local Government area of Cross Rivers State, “Andishu met different challenges faced by his people and was moved to start the MOSES ANDISHU FOUNDATION. MAF a non-profit platform to empowers people.

“So far, the MOSES ANDISHU FOUNDATION , has supported several people with motorcycles for local transportation, sewing machines for tailoring businesses, and soft skill development for leadership. This foundation has also provides widows with food items particularly during festive periods.

“Moses found his purpose of giving back to every community he is a part of. Little wonder his presence and foundation have evolved into a phenomenon his people yearn for.

“He has also tutored and mentored skilled individuals in the UK, supported schools, paid hospital bills, empowered the youth, and over-all, alleviated poverty. It’s in this fit that he was recognized with the naming of a major street (Moses Andishu Street) named after him in Kaduna state (his town of birth),” the statement stated.

President Bola Tinubu has expressed his profound joy at the re-opening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). He described it as another remarkable achievement in 2024 that has strengthened Nigerians’ hope in his administration.

The Warri Refinery returned to operation today, weeks after NNPC Limited restarted the 60,000 barrels per day at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November. With the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) going into operation after several years of inactivity, President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s determination to ramp up local refining capacity and make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.

The All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari had awarded the contract for the complete rehabilitation and overhaul of the four state-owned refineries. President Tinubu noted with confidence that with the 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri Refinery now operating at 60% capacity, his administration’s comprehensive plan to ensure energy efficiency and security is entirely on course.

He praised the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPCL for working hard to restore Nigeria’s glory and pride as a major oil-producing country. “The restart of Warri Refinery today brings joy and gladness to me and Nigerians. This will further strengthen the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future that we promised. This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the feat recorded earlier with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am equally happy that NNPC Limited is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition,” President Tinubu said.

President Tinubu also enjoined NNPCL to accelerate repair work on the Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 bpd second refinery in Port Harcourt to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider. WRPC will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha.

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, released the statement on December 30, 2024.