ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged young people to move beyond chasing online popularity and begin converting their social media influence into businesses, jobs and other legitimate economic opportunities.
The governor gave the charge on Thursday through the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, at the fourth Delta State Social Media Summit held at the Mariam Babangida Leisure Park and Film Village in Asaba.
Oborevwori said the rapid growth of digital platforms had created opportunities for young people to build audiences, communicate with large numbers of people and develop income-generating ventures without depending solely on conventional employment.
He urged participants at the summit to focus on creating content that provides value while building digital platforms capable of attracting businesses, partnerships and advertising opportunities.
The governor cautioned against measuring success on social media only by the number of followers, likes or online visibility, stressing that digital influence should ultimately translate into tangible value.
He said the growing importance of social media had changed the traditional concept of communication and created opportunities for individuals to become employers of labour.
“Social media has given us a platform where individuals who ordinarily would have become prospective job seekers now become prospective employers of labour,” he said.
Oborevwori also advised young content creators to use digital platforms responsibly and avoid activities capable of promoting crime, fraud or other violations of the law.
He said the opportunities offered by social media should be matched by responsible use, innovation and a commitment to creating content that contributes positively to society.
According to him, the size of an online audience could provide individuals with a powerful platform for reaching potential customers and connecting businesses with consumers.
He cited the experience of the summit organiser and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Ossai Ovie Success, as an example of how sustained use of social media could create professional and economic opportunities.
The governor said his administration recognised the role of young people and the creative industry in driving economic development, noting that the sector had featured prominently among the areas considered at the Delta State Economic Summit.
He maintained that government alone could not build the state envisioned by its citizens, urging youths, entrepreneurs, creatives and other stakeholders to contribute their skills and ideas to Delta’s development.
Oborevwori also encouraged participants to use the summit to establish relationships with experienced professionals and personalities in the creative and digital economy, saying such networks could open new opportunities for career and business growth.
Earlier, the convener of the summit, Ossai Ovie Success, said the annual event was established to expose young Deltans to opportunities in the digital economy and equip them with practical knowledge for using social media for creativity, information dissemination and wealth creation.
Ossai said the summit was also intended to encourage young people to transform their talents and digital presence into sustainable livelihoods rather than remain focused solely on online recognition.
The fourth edition brought together young people and other stakeholders interested in social media, digital creativity and the wider creative economy.
The keynote address was delivered by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) of Delta State University, Abraka, Engr. Prof. Hilary Ijeoma Owamah.
