EiENigeria in partnership with the USAID’s SACE project, hosted 6 events at the recently concluded SMWLagos 2016. The events – which included a Market Place session, interactive Panels, Master Classes and a concert, centered on Citizens, the Government and how they both utilize Technology (particularly Social Media) in engaging each other on topical issues. Invited speakers included renowned faces in Government, Media, Showbiz, Civil Society Organizations and Information Technology sectors.
The marketplace, panels, masterclasses and concert allowed us to share the message of ‘active citizenship’ in different ways to appeal to as many people as possible.
For the panels, the submissions by the panelists, their engagement with each other and the audience ensure information was shared and questions answered. This was the first time EiE had masterclasses. The turnout was impressive and the session was engaging for the participants. The Freedom of Speech concert, our 3rd year in a row (but first time onsite on campus) capped off the week and Omawumi ensured the message of active citizenship was not lost.
The Citizens’ Marketplace provided an opportunity for attendees to engage organisations working in areas of interest for a relatively longer period. It featured 12 Civil Society Organizations where guests – activists and interested persons, had the opportunity to share their innovations and ideas, learn from and educate each other and find collaborators.
The Active Citizenship panel revolved around who active citizens are and how they can properly demand for accountability from their elected officials whilst especially leveraging on the enabling platform of social media.
For the Citizens, Government and Technology panel there was a huge turnout of attendees which expectedly was as a result of the calibre of expected speakers! However, the non-appearance of 3 of the speakers (Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Nasir El’Rufai and Senator Ibn Na’Allah) did not take the shine off the session. Dr. Joe Abah of the Bureau of Public Sector Reforms and CSP Abayomi Shogunle of the Nigeria Police Complaints Response Unit (CRU) did justice to the session.
Master classes were anchored by Anakle and attendees were taken through the rudiments of social media analytics for Facebook, Twitter and Google. The classes aimed to strengthen and deepen the use of the platforms with a specific focus on strategies for gaining attention, improving analytics and understanding data.
The ‘Music and Words’ concert also doubled as the wrap party for the entire SMWLagos event week and it featured A-list celebrities like DJ Jimmy Jatt, Omawumi, Reminisce, Sasha P and spoken words maestro, Efe. The concert was a great avenue for all guests to mix and let their hair down after the week-long programme of events.
Our best moments from all the events are captured in tweets, pictures – and video, and are available at the links below:
Storify: #GovTalkNG – EiE & USAID’s SACE project at the #SMWLagos 2016
Video: Let’s Talk Governance! at #SMWLagos 2016
Master Classes:
- Understanding Facebook
- Twitter and Google Analytics – with Anakle
- Understanding Instagram
- Connections and Community
- Apps and Tools Public Relations and Corporate Communications
Photo Reel:
- Let’s Talk Governance – EiENigeria at #SMWLagos 2016
- Celebrating Freedom of Speech at the SMWLagos 2016 Wrap Party