Sooner than later, Social media will be a tool for transforming the country ~Ogundamisi
Kayode Ogundamisi is an International Relations expert, TV producer, convener of the Liberty Forum, United Kingdom, and a Fellow of the German human rights group, Internationaler Menschenrechtsverein Bremen e.V. With a following of 209,000 on Twitter alone, he tells JESUSEGUN ALAGBE the impact of social media on his career
You are a social commentator, human rights activist and TV producer. How would you describe the impact of social media on your career?
As it does for almost everyone, social media has created both negative and positive impact in everything I do, but mostly positive. Take Facebook and Twitter, for example, it’s a platform for interaction, used mainly by young people, a more vibrant generation. For those of us born in the 60s and for someone like me with a tradition of barricade activism, it is a new and thrilling experience. I joined my first protest at the age of 13 at Agege (Lagos). I am 47 now. Then, we had no social media when we took on different Nigerian military dictators to fight for democratic rule. As a matter of fact, during my days of student unionism, we used to make our stand known to the then autocratic rulers by words of mouth. I recall holding meetings inside mosques in Sokoto and on different hills in Enugu, just to distract the security agents. What I find ironical now is how we were able to mobilise, communicate and carry out very effective mass actions in those days. But today, with all the easy means of communication, so many youths are more divided, mostly ill-informed and easily bought with the smallest of crumbs from the table of the same people who oppress them. Social media is supposed to be a tool for positive change. For me, it is more of a tool to engage, provoke debates, as well as socialise. Most of my TV productions became successful not just because of the quality of the content, but as a result of being able to share them via various social media platforms.
Are there any tricks to you amassing a following of over 209,000 on Twitter?
Honestly, I don’t know, I was more of a Facebook junkie. I opened my Facebook account way back to discuss politics and almost everyone I knew liked the idea. They all agreed with me that Facebook should not just be about meeting friends. Back then, the debate going on my page was robust and then I got bored. I easily get bored. It was Rosanwo Babatunde and Rosemary Ajayi who convinced me to join Twitter. I was reluctant, but I joined and was pleased. The quality of the debates on the platform was enlightening and I found out that people make use of their brains more on Twitter than on any other social media platform. I do not really count the number of followers I have. I don’t use Twitter to make money; it is simply a platform for engagement. I am not one who believes influence is determined by the number of followers you have on social media. This opinion could be different for those who use the platform for ‘pay-to-tweet’ or other business purpose. I just use it to air my own voice and perception on issues in the world, with emphasis on Nigeria. I just drop my opinions and I don’t care how people react. So, the number of followers is irrelevant. The fact that I have remained committed to the same ideals that attracted me to being a voice for the voiceless at the age of 13 is much more important.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered while voicing your opinions on social media?
Challenges? None whatsoever. Some respond positively, some negatively. Some abuse my father. I do not take social media reactions personal. In fact, I have met a number of people who act stupid on social media, but they are amazing people when I met them offline. If you take things too seriously on social media, you won’t have a life. I have a full-time day job, so why should I worry myself when I can spend quality time investing that energy in my clients?
Do you think social media makes people smarter or duller?
Both. If you are someone who is able to research and educate yourself via social media, then you won’t make a fool of yourself. But if you are the intellectual zombie kind of person, then you will rely on others so much to the point of being an illiterate.
What part of your life would you never share on social media?
My children, my relationship, these are no-go areas. I let my children decide what they want. I hardly share their photographs on social media. Even when we go on vacation, we keep our holiday pictures private. They are also on social media and they have friends. They do their own thing and I do mine. I don’t know why people announce their relationship statuses on social media. For a restless soul like me, it will be a disaster to date anyone and then announce it. If things go wrong, how do you manage the outcome? I have been in and out of relationships. We are still best of friends. No one was hurt as a result of superfluous publicity. I allow my private life to remain very private.
How do you handle naughty followers?
I use the ‘block’ and ‘mute’ buttons very well.
What time of the day do you enjoy posting on social media?
At night. I work full-time from Monday to Friday and tweet sparingly using my mobile phone. If you read my tweets during the day, they are more likely to be filled with grammatical and spelling errors. So I enjoy posting in the night when I am relaxed.
Is your smartphone your best partner?
It’s more like my wife. I wake up with it and go to bed with it by my side. I am always hungry for news. I told a friend that when I clock 50, I have to get offline. I hope I am able to do just that. That’s about three years to come and hopefully, Nigeria wouldn’t be in need of much critical intervention.
What do you see people do on social media that you feel are weird?
Young people’s inability to analyse their socio-economic conditions and transform their energy into holding those responsible for their poor condition to account; I see such as weird. Nothing can be more bizarre than the frenzy for selfies by young people when they see the same rogues who steal from them.
Have you ever come across any of your social media followers offline?
Yes, I have met quite a number of them and I found most of them interesting.
Do you agree with people who say social media has destroyed inter-personal relationships?
I agree. People no longer know how to relate without social media. I am also guilty of that. I hardly visit friends. All I do is ‘visit’ their Facebook statuses. If they say they are okay, then I click the ‘like’ button and move on. This needs to change as we need more interpersonal relations to know more about one another and fraternise.
That means social media must have also disrupted your relationship with friends and family?
I try to pay friends and family surprise visits. Most people who know me know I am a travel freak. I use every opportunity of visiting a friend to travel abroad.
Do you think there should be laws guarding against what people post online?
Let people regulate themselves. If you post something that is offensive, it is more likely people will call your attention to it before the state does. I think we have enough laws against misuse of platforms to offend or slander. Those laws can be tested; we do not need more draconian laws to suppress the freedom of speech.
What do you consider before retweeting other people’s tweets?
Nothing really. If you tweet something that makes sense, I will retweet it. Likewise, if you tweet something stupid and I am in a good mood, I can help you advertise your stupidity or ignorance by retweeting. But I am more likely to retweet tweets from renowned media companies like PUNCH(@MobilePunch), Channels TV, Sahara Reporters, and so on.
Do you follow a follower who requests for a follow back?
Yes.
What trend do you see in the next five years in the social media space in Nigeria?
People will demand for more accountability. I know Nigerians will use the platform to hold the government and fellow citizens to account. It is going to be a tool for positive change and I have faith in the youths to reclaim all that has been lost. We may have opportunism reigning at the moment, but with time, social media will be a tool for transforming the country.
This article was first published by The Punch Newspaper.
You are a social commentator, human rights activist and TV producer. How would you describe the impact of social media on your career?
As it does for almost everyone, social media has created both negative and positive impact in everything I do, but mostly positive. Take Facebook and Twitter, for example, it’s a platform for interaction, used mainly by young people, a more vibrant generation. For those of us born in the 60s and for someone like me with a tradition of barricade activism, it is a new and thrilling experience. I joined my first protest at the age of 13 at Agege (Lagos). I am 47 now. Then, we had no social media when we took on different Nigerian military dictators to fight for democratic rule. As a matter of fact, during my days of student unionism, we used to make our stand known to the then autocratic rulers by words of mouth. I recall holding meetings inside mosques in Sokoto and on different hills in Enugu, just to distract the security agents. What I find ironical now is how we were able to mobilise, communicate and carry out very effective mass actions in those days. But today, with all the easy means of communication, so many youths are more divided, mostly ill-informed and easily bought with the smallest of crumbs from the table of the same people who oppress them. Social media is supposed to be a tool for positive change. For me, it is more of a tool to engage, provoke debates, as well as socialise. Most of my TV productions became successful not just because of the quality of the content, but as a result of being able to share them via various social media platforms.
Are there any tricks to you amassing a following of over 209,000 on Twitter?
Honestly, I don’t know, I was more of a Facebook junkie. I opened my Facebook account way back to discuss politics and almost everyone I knew liked the idea. They all agreed with me that Facebook should not just be about meeting friends. Back then, the debate going on my page was robust and then I got bored. I easily get bored. It was Rosanwo Babatunde and Rosemary Ajayi who convinced me to join Twitter. I was reluctant, but I joined and was pleased. The quality of the debates on the platform was enlightening and I found out that people make use of their brains more on Twitter than on any other social media platform. I do not really count the number of followers I have. I don’t use Twitter to make money; it is simply a platform for engagement. I am not one who believes influence is determined by the number of followers you have on social media. This opinion could be different for those who use the platform for ‘pay-to-tweet’ or other business purpose. I just use it to air my own voice and perception on issues in the world, with emphasis on Nigeria. I just drop my opinions and I don’t care how people react. So, the number of followers is irrelevant. The fact that I have remained committed to the same ideals that attracted me to being a voice for the voiceless at the age of 13 is much more important.
What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered while voicing your opinions on social media?
Challenges? None whatsoever. Some respond positively, some negatively. Some abuse my father. I do not take social media reactions personal. In fact, I have met a number of people who act stupid on social media, but they are amazing people when I met them offline. If you take things too seriously on social media, you won’t have a life. I have a full-time day job, so why should I worry myself when I can spend quality time investing that energy in my clients?
Do you think social media makes people smarter or duller?
Both. If you are someone who is able to research and educate yourself via social media, then you won’t make a fool of yourself. But if you are the intellectual zombie kind of person, then you will rely on others so much to the point of being an illiterate.
What part of your life would you never share on social media?
My children, my relationship, these are no-go areas. I let my children decide what they want. I hardly share their photographs on social media. Even when we go on vacation, we keep our holiday pictures private. They are also on social media and they have friends. They do their own thing and I do mine. I don’t know why people announce their relationship statuses on social media. For a restless soul like me, it will be a disaster to date anyone and then announce it. If things go wrong, how do you manage the outcome? I have been in and out of relationships. We are still best of friends. No one was hurt as a result of superfluous publicity. I allow my private life to remain very private.
How do you handle naughty followers?
I use the ‘block’ and ‘mute’ buttons very well.
What time of the day do you enjoy posting on social media?
At night. I work full-time from Monday to Friday and tweet sparingly using my mobile phone. If you read my tweets during the day, they are more likely to be filled with grammatical and spelling errors. So I enjoy posting in the night when I am relaxed.
Is your smartphone your best partner?
It’s more like my wife. I wake up with it and go to bed with it by my side. I am always hungry for news. I told a friend that when I clock 50, I have to get offline. I hope I am able to do just that. That’s about three years to come and hopefully, Nigeria wouldn’t be in need of much critical intervention.
What do you see people do on social media that you feel are weird?
Young people’s inability to analyse their socio-economic conditions and transform their energy into holding those responsible for their poor condition to account; I see such as weird. Nothing can be more bizarre than the frenzy for selfies by young people when they see the same rogues who steal from them.
Have you ever come across any of your social media followers offline?
Yes, I have met quite a number of them and I found most of them interesting.
Do you agree with people who say social media has destroyed inter-personal relationships?
I agree. People no longer know how to relate without social media. I am also guilty of that. I hardly visit friends. All I do is ‘visit’ their Facebook statuses. If they say they are okay, then I click the ‘like’ button and move on. This needs to change as we need more interpersonal relations to know more about one another and fraternise.
That means social media must have also disrupted your relationship with friends and family?
I try to pay friends and family surprise visits. Most people who know me know I am a travel freak. I use every opportunity of visiting a friend to travel abroad.
Do you think there should be laws guarding against what people post online?
Let people regulate themselves. If you post something that is offensive, it is more likely people will call your attention to it before the state does. I think we have enough laws against misuse of platforms to offend or slander. Those laws can be tested; we do not need more draconian laws to suppress the freedom of speech.
What do you consider before retweeting other people’s tweets?
Nothing really. If you tweet something that makes sense, I will retweet it. Likewise, if you tweet something stupid and I am in a good mood, I can help you advertise your stupidity or ignorance by retweeting. But I am more likely to retweet tweets from renowned media companies like PUNCH(@MobilePunch), Channels TV, Sahara Reporters, and so on.
Do you follow a follower who requests for a follow back?
Yes.
What trend do you see in the next five years in the social media space in Nigeria?
People will demand for more accountability. I know Nigerians will use the platform to hold the government and fellow citizens to account. It is going to be a tool for positive change and I have faith in the youths to reclaim all that has been lost. We may have opportunism reigning at the moment, but with time, social media will be a tool for transforming the country.
This article was first published by The Punch Newspaper.
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