From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The police in Kano have urged social media influencers to take cognisance of the Cybercrimes (Provision, Prevention, etc.) Act 2024 in the discharge of their roles in society.
Kano State Police Commissioner Salman Garba Dogo, at the weekend, made the appeal at a two-day workshop organised for the benefit of influencers by the Social Media Awareness and Promotion Development Association (SMAPDA).
The Commissioner, represented by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, also urged them to pay attention to their personal safety and security in light of their enhanced visibility in the public space.
Dogo stressed their roles in the promotion of inter-ethnic harmony and national unity, urging them to prioritise these objectives for the good of the country, while cautioning them against spreading and disseminating fake news, hate speeches, and negative content.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Secretary of the Association, Sharfaddeen Bature, explained that the workshop was designed to add value to the operations of their members.
He regretted that, to date, some influencers in the North have been under-utilising their potential and opportunities, adding that with over 50 million followers in the region, Northern social media influencers have the capacity to play more vital roles in the social, economic, and political dynamics of the country.
He urged them to rebrand themselves for better digital roles, adding that when well-packaged, their brands would grow and their finances would expand.
He also tasked them with embarking on continuous skill development programmes, saying that new professional insights and enhanced skills would help increase their followership base.