Use of internet tools for facilitating
discussions on national issues first became popular after Seun Osewa launched www.nairaland.com,
an online forum that allows registered members to start discussions on any
topic and also comment on other ongoing conversation at no charge.
Few years after the word 'Nairalanders'
had become a norm among Nigerian youths, another initiative which redefined the
meaning of the words 'friend', 'like' and 'wall' began making waves among internet users in the
country. The initiative, Facebook became a favorite internet site for Nigerians
of varying age, culture and social status and not too long after Nigerians had
settled down to this new rave, internet users got a free offering of online
short messaging through the website- www.twitter.com. The site which allows
users to post instant updates of 140 characters also introduced us to the world
of tweets, hashtags, mentions and trends.
With the availability of these aforementioned
social media sites and others such as Google+ and 2go, the platform for
discussing personal, family, business, community and national issues have now moved
away from solely traditional settings like dining tables, local bars, radio and
television stations to include internet-based interaction platforms. Coupled
with the potential for mass broadcast at fairly low cost, the internet is now
well known as an ideal avenue for raising awareness and launching campaigns on
social issues and it is based on this that the Tobacco Control Nigeria Project
was envisioned and officially launched on August 21, 2013.
Tobacco Control Nigeria is a
social media policy change campaign using Social Media to advance tobacco
control discussions in Nigeria and support the passage of a comprehensive
Tobacco Control (TC) law compliant with the World Health Organization’s Framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).
The launch which held in Ikeja, Lagos
was all fun and educative. The West Africa Regional Officer for Campaign for
Tobacco Free Kids, Hilda Ochefu gave a goodwill address on the issue of tobacco
control and how it relates to public health in Nigeria and Philip Jakpor of Environmental
Rights Action informed participants on the diverse efforts by civil society to
ensure Nigerians are well informed and safe from the dangers of tobacco use.
The now popular Vocal Slender
(one of the scavengers interviewed on the BBC documentary 'Welcome to Lagos')
gave a stunning musical performance and the video of a flash mob on Tobacco
Control held at Ajegunle, Lagos was shown which got a rousing applause from all
present.
Gbenga Sesan, the Executive
Director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) facilitated the unveiling of the
website - www.tobaccoctrl.ng.com with all its fascinating features such as the
competitive game called Tobacco Dodge. The game charges its players with the
task of achieving high scores by dodging cigarettes and acquiring hearts within
the space of sixty seconds. The game is quite tricky but also engaging as it
appeals to gamers both young & old. On completion, players are encouraged
to share their scores with others via Twitter or facebook platforms thereby
promoting the Tobacco Control cause.
Prizes were given to the winner
of the Tobacco Dodge game at the event venue, the first person at the launch to
like the project's Facebook page - www.facebook.com/TobaccoCtrl,
the first person to follow on Twitter - www.twitter.com/TobaccoCtrl, and the
first person to send a message to the project's SMS shortcode - 39405.
The giveaways have not ended but
will continue online on Facebook, Twitter and the website. Social activism in
tobacco control is now fun and we're waiting for you to come on board.
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