…Advocates responsible, ethical digital engagement
The Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Umanah, on Wednesday, November 19, inaugurated the maiden edition of the Uyo Social Media Week, organised by the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA), at Ceedapeg Hotel, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo.
Delivering a keynote address on, “Digital Media and Governance: Bridging the Gap,” at the event which drew prominent voices in digital communication, governance, entrepreneurship, and media innovation, Umanah described digital media as the heartbeat of contemporary governance. He explained that social media has become a vital tool for promoting transparency, strengthening accountability, and connecting citizens to government policies and development milestones.
The Commissioner noted that the ARISE Agenda of Governor Umo Eno has leveraged digital platforms to document progress in real time and expand citizen participation, stressing the importance of responsible online behaviour. He warned against the proliferation of misinformation and urged content creators, influencers, journalists, and everyday users to always verify information before publishing or sharing. “Don’t let the breaking news break the society,” he cautioned, calling for accuracy, truth, and civility in digital interactions.
Rt. Hon. Umanah also highlighted the State’s accelerating digital transformation under Governor Eno, pointing to ongoing reforms such as the Computer-Based Test (CBT) for civil service recruitment. He praised the Governor’s openness to media engagement, averring that his emergence as the “Most Media-Friendly Governor of 2025” is a testament to the administration’s commitment to transparency and digital inclusion.
Demonstrating support for youth-led innovation and digital enterprise, the Commissioner announced a donation from the Ministry of Information to support the successful hosting of the 2025 Social Media Week. He encouraged young people to harness digital platforms productively, describing them as “digital entrepreneurs” capable of building sustainable careers online.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chancellor of COOPA, Mr. Utitofon Morgan, celebrated the organisation’s ten-year journey and its contributions to ethical digital publishing, civic enlightenment, and social development advocacy. He described the Uyo Social Media Week as COOPA’s gift to the public, an avenue to promote learning, collaboration, and the amplification of local voices in the digital space.
The Uyo Social Media Week features lineup of workshops, boardroom conversations, and poolside sessions focusing on emerging trends in digital media, governance, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
