ADVOCACY PROGRAMME THEMED “EFFECTIVE USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA” ORGANISED FOR
MUSLIM GIRL CHILD HELD AT LAGOS CENTRAL MOSQUE, NNAMDI AZIKIWE ROAD,
LAGOS ISLAND, LAGOS ON SUNDAY, 7TH AUGUST, 2022
Introduction
Students are more connected than ever before through social media, especially when they
are physically distanced from their family, friends and peers. While social media provides
many benefits, such as giving students the chance to express themselves creatively,
learning opportunities, and connect with others, it can also have a negative impact on
them, both physically and mentally. It is easy to become addicted, and research shows that
students who spend too much time on social media can suffer from poor sleep, eye fatigue,
negative body image, depression, anxiety, cyber bullying, lack of face-to-face
communication skills, laziness, among others.
It was as the result of these aforementioned negative effects of social media on students
that the programme was organised, in order to address the issues as well as to educate
them on how best they could use it to benefit their lives. This laudable idea was initiated
by the Convener of the Foundation, Alhaja Lateefah Modupeola Okunnu, OFR, at a brief
get-together of the Board of Trustees held at 3, Karimu Kotun Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
on 11th July, 2022.
The Chairperson’s Welcome Address
Mrs. Fausat Tinuola Feshitan, the Chairperson, Board of Trustees, spoke about the
Foundation at a glance extensively, and introduced the Convener and the Board of Trustees
to the participants. She explained that the rationale behind the Foundation’s tree-like or
fingers-stretched-like logo was an indication of planting good seeds in the Muslim girl child
(boys inclusive) background for future development, and a helping hand that is catching
them young, respectively.
While she stressed that the Foundation works to be the foremost organisation that one
would ever think of, in promoting the status and dignity of Muslim girl child, she also briefed
the participants about its current collaboration with Lagos Island East Local Council
Development Area (LCDA) on rehabilitation of the Lagos Island Dolphin Phase 4, Adeniji
Adele Library as a Study Centre.
Participants
In attendance were 157 duly registered participants comprising the ongoing Foundation’s
transition programme students and some tutors (both from Lagos Island and Mainland
Centres), SpringBoard Language Concept Students, FOMWAN Lagos State Chapter youth
members, some invited youths and guests as well as the Trustees of the Foundation.
Mr. Abdullateef Williams anchored the programme.
Brief Citation of Maryam Popoola
Meimunat Abiru, a participant and student of Temple University, United States of America,
read a brief citation of Maryam Popoola to the audience whose self-driven, excellent and
outstanding academic performances are worth emulating by the junior ones. Maryam
Popoola is the author of the book “Insight: Nuggets of Excellence for Teenagers” published
in 2016 while she was in SSS 3 in Dowen College, Lagos. It is worthy of note that copies of
these books were given free-of charge to all the participants at the event by the
Foundation.
Speech I
The first Speaker of that day, Nusaybah Abdulfattah, a UI/UX Designer and currently, a
student of both University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), Kwara State and National Open University
of Nigeria (NOUN), Victoria Island, Lagos thrilled the participants with some light exercises
and presented an interactive speech afterwards. She explained the usefulness of various
social media handles such as Facebook, Instagram, Snap Chat, TikTok, LinkedIn, WhatsApp,
et cetera and thereafter, asked the participants to state advantages of social media
handles.
Below are some of the responses given:
“Social media is used to have access to information.” Khadijah Abdul Salam.
“Social media, such as google is used to download applications and documents for learning
purposes.” Hameerah Adeyemi.
“Social media is used for sending and sharing information.” Habibat Babatunde.
Likewise, stated below are some of the responses given by some participants on the
disadvantages of social media handles:
“It exposes us to what we are not supposed to be exposed to, such as pornography”
Muhammed Giwa
“It spreads false news.” Maryam Omobolanle.
“It causes loss of concentration.” Sanusi Aliyah.
The Speaker summarized the participants’ contributions and clarified that social media is
nothing but a tool, however, its usefulness and how long we stay on it matters most and
also, discouraged the participants from using it for popularity, exhibiting talents or sharing
pornographic photos and videos. She concluded her speech with a rhyme as follows:
“Social media is a tool and how we use it matters.
I will use it to learn.
I will use it to communicate with people.
Ultimately, I will use it for good.”
Speech II
Toyyibah Akinlusi; a Marketing Content Manager and a student of University of Lagos
(UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos, in her presentation explained that the rationale behind the
creation of social media handles by their creators was to make money through connecting
people together and that many of them do not allow their children spend too much time
on it. She advised the participants not only to forget their identity, moral and value while
on social media but also, deviate from misusing it or disrespecting people because some of
the users might be older than their parents and also, for security reasons.
She referenced the #EndSARS youth protests held in 2020, against brutality by the Special
Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force whose violent protests snowballed
into demands for systemic reforms and accountable governance. Particularly, they agitated
for national security and also, addressed socio-economic challenges facing the youth; social
media was used for youth massive mobilization to spread false information and bad news
across the country which subsequently, led to a numerous number of Nigerians losing their
lives and disbandment of SARs after the protests as well. She conclusively enjoined the
participants to make effective use of it for their development instead of destructing edifices
and eliminating lives.
Interactive Session
Mrs. Habiba Balogun, an Organisation Effectiveness Consultant and Certified Leadership
Coach who would be presenting a speech before the parents’ participants the following
weekend inquired from the participants on what they wanted her to tell their parents about
social media.
Stated below are the following responses given by some of the participants:
o They should be told to understand how to use social media effectively.
o They should know the advantages and disadvantages of social media.
o Spending too much hours on social media can affect their health.
o They do not have time for them; they press their phones instead;
o They do not observe Solat at the appropriate time;
o They do not use social media to learn useful things;
o They buy phones early for them without monitoring them.
Discussion/Contributions
Mr. Popoola, Maryam’s father, in his contribution commended the presenters for their
enlightening presentations on the subject matter while he pointed out that two chapters
out of the ten chapters in the book written by his daughter discussed the good side of social
media and managing its bad side. He prayed for the children and committed them on the
hands of Allah (SWT) that they shall excel in life and be a pride to their parents.
Contributing, Mr. Abdul Azeez Ibrahim encouraged the children to us
e social media to
enrich their knowledge of Islam as well as Western Education.
Vote of Thanks
Hon. Justice Lateefa Abisola Okunnu, a trustee of the Foundation admonished that the
participants should remember for example, that Allah (SWT) is there by their side whenever
they are on social media and that the negative side of it should not be happening just
because we have a phone and access to internet connection. She thanked the Speakers for
sharing their knowledge with the participants, as well as the participants and guests for
honoring our invitations.
Presentation of Appreciation Plaque
Our beloved mother and Convener of the Foundation, Alhaja Lateefah Modupeola Okunnu,
OFR, joyfully thanked and presented appreciation plaques to the Speakers for their
contributions towards the success of the programme.
Conclusion
It suffices to commend that the theme of the programme being “Effective Use of Social
Media” was vividly understood by the target audience, especially from the active
participation and impressions gathered. It was indeed interestingly educative and
enlightening. Thus, a huge success! Alhamdulillah!
Attached to this report are the following documents:
➢ Acknowledgement copies of Invitation Letters
➢ Programme of Events
➢ Attendance of Participants
➢ Brief Citation of Maryam Popoola, and
➢ Photographs (soft copies).
Ismail Adebisi Adeyemo,
Administrative Officer.
