Opinion
Impact Of Social Media On Society
The social media which is an offshoot of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a welcome development in our society today. The advent of social media such as facebook. 2go, twitter, U-2, loatsup, Eskimi and many more had brought the world to a global village as forecasted by a Canadian Proffessor, Marshall Mcluhan, in his book titled the “global village”. Many years ago people write letters of different kinds to their uncles, anties and relations in the cities as a means of communication such letters could take months or a longer time to be replied, this is because the gap between the sender and the receiver is wide.
However, with the arrival of social media people can now make contact with relatives, friends from far distance and get immediate reply. The social media has been empowered with the invention of the Internet. That is to say the moment you can buy a phone with internet facilities, then you have the ability to make use of the social media like facebook, 2go and so on. With social media today one does not expect the world to be static because it serves as a mobile media through which people get current information about the happenings in our society and the world at large.
Social Media like Facebook can be seen as the fastest means of communication to users who place much premium on it, for instance, medium like face book can serve as a good means of communication whereby users can place their pictures onlin, for friends to view and also have the ability to chat with friends across the globe.
However, the impacts of social media such as face book, twitter, 2go etc cannot be over emphasise as people can now sit at the comfort of their item and browse the internet, read online newspaper, and also get current happenings around the world.
Also medium like the use of facebook which is commonly use among students to chat with their mates is also very important as most students place important write up on their 2go status just to get their friends informed.
However, there has been an enormous abuse of the social media by most users, especially among the youth. They have gone as far as using the social media to embarrass eminent people in the society, especially the politicians have received different kinds of insults through the social net work. A good example can be cited in the recent strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) people use the social media to say so many things like President Goodluck Jonathan, your administration is too bad that you cannot handle the issue of ASUU strike for months, while he has been trying his best on how to curb the situation. Also, the issue of Boko Haram is another security problem that confronts President Goodluck Administration, people say so many things using this challenges as a platform. This kind of abuse is not possible in the old media like Newspapers, television and radio. The social media is raw in information dissemination as the information disseminated does not undergo gate-keeping process. So it will be appropriate if the media can come up with a programme to educate the students and youth on how to use the social media wisely. The students and youths have cultivated the habit of using their precious time chatting; using 2go and playing computer games, even chatting on facebook instead of using their precious time for a serious academic work.
Despite the fact that the social media plays a crucial role in getting the users informed, people should devote much time to the traditional media than the social media. Though they have similar functions. The traditional media give more accurate information than the social media. In the traditional media information’s are verified and it also has a source, but the reverse is the case in the social media. We are in a competitive world therefore the media should be more proactive in its service to the people.
Samuel is a public affairs analyst.
Mohammed Samuel
Opinion
Why Reduce Cut-Off Mark for C.O.E ?
Opinion
Welcome! Worthy Future For R/S
Opinion
Restoring Order, Delivering Good Governance
The political atmosphere in Rivers State has been anything but calm in 2025. Yet, a rare moment of unity was witnessed on Saturday, June 28, when Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, appeared side by side at the funeral of Elder Temple Omezurike Onuoha, Wike’s late uncle. What could have passed for a routine condolence visit evolved into a significant political statement—a symbolic show of reconciliation in a state bruised by deep political strife.
The funeral, attended by dignitaries from across the nation, was more than a moment of shared grief. It became the public reflection of a private peace accord reached earlier at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. There, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought together Governor Fubara, Minister Wike, the suspended Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and other lawmakers to chart a new path forward.
For Rivers people, that truce is a beacon of hope. But they are not content with photo opportunities and promises. What they demand now is the immediate lifting of the state of emergency declared in March 2025, and the unconditional reinstatement of Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Dr. Ngozi Odu, and all suspended lawmakers. They insist on the restoration of their democratic mandate.
President Tinubu’s decision to suspend the entire structure of Rivers State’s elected leadership and appoint a sole administrator was a drastic response to a deepening political crisis. While it may have prevented a complete breakdown in governance, it also robbed the people of their voice. That silence must now end.
The administrator, retired naval chief Ibok-Ette Ibas, has managed a caretaker role. But Rivers State cannot thrive under unelected stewardship. Democracy must return—not partially, not symbolically, but fully. President Tinubu has to ensure that the people’s will, expressed through the ballot, is restored in word and deed.
Governor Fubara, who will complete his six-month suspension by September, was elected to serve the people of Rivers, not to be sidelined by political intrigues. His return should not be ceremonial. It should come with the full powers and authority vested in him by the constitution and the mandate of Rivers citizens.
The people’s frustration is understandable. At the heart of the political crisis was a power tussle between loyalists of Fubara and those of Wike. Institutions, particularly the State House of Assembly, became battlegrounds. Attempts were made to impeach Fubara. The situation deteriorated into a full-blown crisis, and governance was nearly brought to its knees.
But the tide must now turn. With the Senate’s approval of a record ?1.485 trillion budget for Rivers State for 2025, a new opportunity has emerged. This budget is not just a fiscal document—it is a blueprint for transformation, allocating ?1.077 trillion for capital projects alone. Yet, without the governor’s reinstatement, its execution remains in doubt.
It is Governor Fubara, and only him, who possesses the people’s mandate to execute this ambitious budget. It is time for him to return to duty with vigor, responsibility, and a renewed sense of urgency. The people expect delivery—on roads, hospitals, schools, and job creation.
Rivers civil servants, recovering from neglect and under appreciation, should also continue to be a top priority. Fubara should continue to ensure timely payment of salaries, address pension issues, and create a more effective, motivated public workforce. This is how governance becomes real in people’s lives.
The “Rivers First” mantra with which Fubara campaigned is now being tested. That slogan should become policy. It must inform every appointment, every contract, every budget decision, and every reform. It must reflect the needs and aspirations of the ordinary Rivers person—not political patrons or vested interests.
Beyond infrastructure and administration, political healing is essential. Governor Fubara and Minister Wike must go beyond temporary peace. They should actively unite their camps and followers to form one strong political family. The future of Rivers cannot be built on division.
Political appointments, both at the Federal and State levels, must reflect a spirit of fairness, tolerance, and inclusivity. The days of political vendettas and exclusive lists must end. Every ethnic group, every gender, and every generation must feel included in the new Rivers project.
Rivers is too diverse to be governed by one faction. Lasting peace can only be built on concessions, maturity, and equity. The people are watching to see if the peace deal will lead to deeper understanding or simply paper over cracks in an already fragile political arrangement.
Wike, now a national figure as Minister of the FCT, has a responsibility to rise above the local fray and support the development of Rivers State. His influence should bring federal attention and investment to the state, not political interference or division.
Likewise, Fubara should lead with restraint, humility, and a focus on service delivery. His return should not be marked by revenge or political purges but by inclusive leadership that welcomes even former adversaries into the process of rebuilding the state.
“The people are no longer interested in power struggles. They want light in their streets, drugs in their hospitals, teachers in their classrooms, and jobs for their children. The politics of ego and entitlement have to give way to governance with purpose.
The appearance of both leaders at the funeral was a glimpse of what unity could look like. That moment should now evolve into a movement-one that prioritizes Rivers State over every personal ambition. Let it be the beginning of true reconciliation and progress.
As September draws near, the Federal government should act decisively to end the state of emergency and reinstate all suspended officials. Rivers State must return to constitutional order and normal democratic processes. This is the minimum requirement of good governance.
The crisis in Rivers has dragged on for too long. The truce is a step forward, but much more is needed. Reinstating Governor Fubara, implementing the ?1.485 trillion budget, and uniting political factions are now the urgent tasks ahead. Rivers people have suffered enough. It is time to restore leadership, rebuild trust, and finally put Rivers first.
By: Amieyeofori Ibim
Amieyeofori Ibim is former Editor of The Tide Newspapers, political analyst and public affairs commentator
-
Rivers22 hours ago
NDDC Inaugurates Ultra-Modern Market In Rivers Community
-
Opinion24 hours ago
Welcome! Worthy Future For R/S
-
News20 hours ago
Nigeria’s Inflation Rate Dropped To 22.22% In June -NBS
-
News22 hours ago
NOA Set To Unveil National Values Charter — D-G
-
Politics19 hours ago
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
-
Features22 hours ago
25 Years After: NDDC Celebrates Milestones Of Impactful Development
-
Business23 hours ago
NCDMB Promises Oil Industry Synergy With Safety Boots Firm
-
News20 hours ago
Rivers Police Arrest Notorious Cultist, Recover Sophisticated Ammunition