Okonkwo Samuel
By Paschal Candle
Awka – It was in deed an atmosphere of love and show of solidarity to all APC Social Media Influencers, Youth Stakeholders and Youth Support Groups as APC South East Zonal Youth Leader of the Party, Odu Olisaemeka Onyeka in collaboration with Johnbosco Onunkwo Foundation organised a one-day retreat for Media Influencers in the party across the 5 States of the South East for the purpose of repositioning and re-strategising for the task ahead of the party, as we match towards 2023 general elections.
In his opening remarks, Odu Olisaemeka Onyeka welcomed all the participants to the retreat themed “Youths and Social media, the great asset of a progressive Party”.
The Zonal Youth Leader commended the leader of the party in the South East, His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma for his relentless support for the youth bodies of APC, South East Zone. He commended Chief Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, the Founder/CEO, Johnbosco Onunkwo Foundation for his passion for the growth of young progressives within our party. He praised him for being a true and young progressive.
In his words, Chief Onyeka noted, “we all have gathered here today to let you know that your efforts do not go unnoticed and to sensitize ourselves towards the upcoming general elections. As young progressives in the South East, we are bound to showcase the party in good light. As the theme of this years retreat suggests we have two great assets as young progressives.”
“One is the fact that we all belong to the younger generation, a generation upon which lies the heartbeat of any democracy. Any nation that does not take its youth into serious consideration is building itself for doom. The youths still remains the engine room of our Democracy. Our party the APC has given our youths a pride of place in its journey to a New Nigeria,” he said.
He recalled that just some few days ago, President Muhammadu Buhari instructed that youths be included in Board appointments and Federal Committees to enable the youths contribute their quota to nation-building.
He went further to say that “in our party, APC, we have as one of our greatest assets the social media influencers. The power of social media can never be over emphasized in our world today. Narratives have been changed on social media, national movements have started just with sensitizations on social media. The End SARS movement is a practical example of the power of social media. Fortunately, it works either for good or for bad, even the Arab Springs.”
“As young progressives in the South East, I ask, what can we do with our smart phones? What impact can we make with our social media space? Seated here today are great social media influencers, leaders of various progressive support groups and young progressive leaders in their various localities. It is time we see the social media as a tool for change, a tool to set records straight and a tool to change narratives. The voice of those struggling to bring down our party or put our party in bad light will never again over-shadow our voice as young progressives. It is time we start showcasing the great achievements of our party the APC.”
He maintained that truth be told our party has achieved more in terms of infrastructural development and job creation in Nigeria. We need to let Nigerians know this. The South East has benefited immensely from our party in the APC than the PDP many perceived as the party of the South East. From Infrastructural development to job creation, poverty alleviation with Social Intervention programs like N-Power and of course the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge, is a fact that under APC Leadership South East have had it so good and we ask for more.
“With our smart phones,” he said, “we can stop the hate speeches. We can through constructive engagements let the world know that APC means good for the common man. We need to consciously project the polices of our Government. With social media, we can re-direct the focus of our fellow youths from ugly trends on social media.”
“Let us come together as young progressives and build our party and Country. Let us market individuals in our party who are doing well within the party and also protect them from opposition attacks. Let us always put in a kind word in support anytime we come across posts attacking our party or putting us in bad light before the public,” Chief Onyeka summed up.
High Chief Engr Johnbosco Onunkwo in his remark through his media aide, Immanuel Ifediata praised APC Media Influencers as Brand Ambassadors of the party. He appreciated the good works they are doing for the party and noted that without them in various platforms defending the party, the APC Government Policies and President Buhari with their hard-earned money, I do not know where we would have been today. He maintained that Engr. Onunkwo is about the youths and have the interest of the youths at heart. He promised to support and always be there for Media Influencers and Progressive Youths.
In his Remark, Chief Basil Ejidike who was ably represented By Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo and Oba Obi Ndigwe urged the youths to be good ambassadors of the party by showcasing the party in good light. He promised to always carry The Party’s Social Media Influencers along.
Many Participants who came from Enugu, Abia, Imo and Anambra States made different suggestions on how to improve and appreciate the good and selfless work of the Media Influencers in the Party.
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