Social Media is Dangerous – AMACOG President
The president of the Association of Mass Communication Graduates (AMACOG), Mr. Kazeem Animashaun said social media could be a useful tool for gathering and also the dissemination of information but if it is used recklessly, it could be dangerous and cause chaos.
Animashaun explained that social media could be used as a veritable and verifiable platform to source information without jeopardizing the basics.
According to him, the reason for establishing an alumni for the 95/ 98 set is to ensure unity among members and that accurate information is disseminated especially where futuristic growth is concerned.
He speaks on this and many more.
Except
Purpose
The alumnus was a child of necessity. Our paths crossed almost 30 years ago as ambitious youths pursuing a dream career- Mass Communication. We made friends and luckily we are still alive to build on the friendship as well as celebrate it today.
That in summary is the brain behind AMACOG. We needed a platform to identify ourselves from all those years back. I believe this is being achieved today. The Whatsapp platform was initiated and a group was formed by Rasheed Ogunnaike on t March 7, 2018 using networking, we were able to reach far and wide, even beyond our shores, to our colleagues in UK and Ireland as well as the Americas. With much resilience, we have been able to gather over 140 active members and we are still waxing stronger. According to Rasheed, it was a brain child of four others as well but he was mandated to form the group. These people are the Foundation members of this beautiful friendship others are Gbolahan Macjob, Sesan Akinrinmade and Mrs. Shade Faneyi -Ikwuegbu.
Success story and challenges
The major success story I will ascribe to Almighty God because we had a smooth election and formation of a formidable Ex-co. The journey has been long and tedious with the frequent squabbles and fall outs as well as conflicts of personalities and interests, but thankfully we weathered the storms and we are standing tall today. We are still working behind the scenes to bring back some members who are upset. The process is ongoing, we will get there. I am using this medium to extend a hand of peace to anyone who feels that they need to be heard should come for negotiation. We can resolve our differences, let us sit and work together.
During my tenure as elected president, my aim is to continue to build the group. The foundation of our group is based on friendship. I want that friendship to blossom into worthwhile achievement for all. Just like our logo, the unifying factor is our course of study, Mass Communication, the microphone at the heart of the logo represents the voice that we all carry in our heart. That voice speaks for the voiceless in the society. We relay the news based on the tenets of our training following the doctrines of 5W’s and H; what happened, why it happened, where it happened, when it happened, who is involved and how it happened).
Alumni logo
The logo has praying palms held together strongly by faith regardless of religion, we are products of faith, our set witnessed the major changes that our country went through during the military administration of General Badamosi Babangida (IBB), General Sanni Abacha and Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO) of blessed memory. We are the ones who scaled through by the skin of our teeth and through the grace of God. The final aspect of the logo is the house we stand on, the house represents our home soil, our department, which is Mass Communication that represents our birthplace and who we are today. Our logo, constitution and letterheads have been designed to recognise the fact that we are professionals who have benefited from the best tutelage. We represent a diverse group of colleagues who are stakeholders in their various fields hence the need to present the concept to the world using a recognisable platform.
Recognition
As we speak, I am joining my voice to celebrate the laudable achievement of members of our group in diaspora. I recognize the trails some of us are blazing and I am very thankful that we are alive to witness it. Otunba Gbolahan Macjob (OGM), recently donated equipment for MAPOLY Radio to the department and this is highly commendable; our own Gbenga Adebayo Oladunni A.K.A Imalian Boy is keeping the masses happy with his programs. We have news editors, police officers, entrepreneurs, educationists and directors who are our torch-bearers. I am indeed very proud of how far we have come and eagerly look forward to where we are going. The limits are beyond the skies now and I am truly excited. As we are evolving as group, the ExCo is looking to select some discerning members for various roles. These roles include founding members, Ex- Officio or Elders Council as well as Board of Trustees. The team would have the lifelong responsibility of reconciliation and mediation as well as project validation and supervision. Members are enjoined to pay their annual dues which will be used for beneficial projects. Members must also recognise that this group is a joint effort and bring ideas to us so that we can explore more potential for growth and development. Also, if any member believes that they have any need that the association can help with, please do not hesitate to come forward. The ExCo team, are always ready to help, please approach us and rest assured of confidentiality as this is our main oath of service.
Social media
My advice for all of us today is to understand that information and misinformation are quite similar but obvious opposites. We need to realise that social media can be a useful tool for information but if used recklessly, it can be dangerous and cause chaos. Let us disseminate information only after ascertaining validity, in simple words: if unsure, do not share.