Following the 2024 International Youth Day, the Social Empowerment and Peace Initiative (SEPI) organized a seminar on “Leveraging Technology and Social Media for Wealth Creation and Sustainable Development.”
The seminar was held at Greatlinks Hotels in Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State, aligned with the 2024 International Youth Day theme, “Click to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” urging young Nigerians to harness the power of digital innovation for a brighter future. By doing so, it will sought to address the pressing issue of youth unemployment by highlighting the untapped potential of digital platforms.
Social Empowerment and Peace Initiative is aimed at building and developing capacities toward achieving greatness.
Mr. Friday Bako, The Executive Director for Social Empowerment and Peace Initiative (SEPI), who also double as the Chairman of Plateau Bloggers and Online Media (PLABOMA), spoke on the need for young people to shift their focus from casual social media use to more strategic engagement. He pointed out that while many youths use these platforms for entertainment, they often overlook the vast opportunities for economic empowerment and career development.
Mr. Bako stressed that with the right skills and mindset, social media can be a powerful tool to combat unemployment and drive sustainable development.
He also believe that the youths possess multidimensional talents that must be harnessed effectively in order to achieve their full potentials at appreciable levels. Government at all levels must give greater attention to building the capacities of the Youths.
Bako emphasized social empowerment initiatives, including digital literacy and leadership training, and encouraged participants to use technology for good governance and corruption reduction in their communities.
During the seminar, Mr. Ibrahim Benshik Kallamu, am I.T Consultant also the CEO of 4wardwego, emphasized the pivotal role of technology in achieving sustainable development. He explained that leveraging technology can significantly enhance access to quality education and improve healthcare delivery. For instance, digital learning platforms have made education more accessible, allowing students to learn at their own pace, while telemedicine and mobile health innovations enable remote consultations and diagnosis, thus revolutionizing healthcare.
Mr. Kallamu emphasized the significance of developing digital skills like web development, marketing, and cybersecurity for sustainable development, highlighting their increasing demand and the integration of AI in these areas.
Furthermore, Mr. Kallamu highlighted the transformative potential of technology in promoting economic growth, highlighting digital entrepreneurship’s ability to remove barriers, create job opportunities, and reach global markets through e-commerce platforms.
Mr. Matthew Tegha, a renowned Blogger and the CEO of MTB Multimedia, highlighted the significant potential of social media for wealth creation. He emphasized that social media should be personally meaningful, whether for networking, communication, or business purposes. By defining its purpose, users can leverage social media effectively to create wealth. He noted the vast reach of social media platforms, which provide instant access to global audiences, enabling businesses to expand beyond traditional borders at a lower cost. Social media also offers opportunities for content creation, where users can share information, entertain, and influence others, which can be monetized in various ways.
Mr. Tegha highlighted the significance of strategic social media use for wealth generation, highlighting the potential for e-commerce, content creation, and influencer marketing to reduce costs and increase reach, as demonstrated by successful influencers.
Finally, Mr. Tegha emphasized the potential of social media platforms to generate income through content creation, product sales, and services, highlighting successful examples of individuals who have successfully turned social media into a profitable venture.
Participants praised the seminar for its transformative impact on their understanding of social media as a tool for wealth creation.
Joy Ashezi Dauda highlighted the program’s educational value and its role in broadening perspectives on leveraging talents for financial gain.
Jerry Jimmy appreciated learning how to use social media for business and content creation, while Pam Aaron Maisaje emphasized the seminar’s guidance on social media management for personal and business growth.
Ochaka found the seminar particularly impactful, realizing the potential of social media as more than just a communication tool but also a means to generate wealth and societal influence.
