The Awe-inspiring Experience at the 2nd Edition of Anambra Social Media Hangout

Anambra State witnessed yet another explosive edition of the Social Media Hangout.  And this time it couldn’t have been better.  The turnout for the event was mind blowing, attesting to the general acceptance and perception of the gathering as a good concept with huge applause from Ndi-Anambra both online and offline.

The Anambra Social Media Hangout remains the first of its kind in the whole of south east Nigeria. And as we know, social media has turned out to be the 21st century’s biggest hub for meeting and sharing ideas, thus, every individual, organization, and government agencies are keying in.

It all happened at Lounge 24 Entertainment Centre in Awka, Anambra State. Before 5 pm when the event was scheduled to kick start, all the invited participants were all seated. By the time the convener of the event, Rtn Ifeanyi Aniagoh took to the stage to open the floor; the invited participants had already been treated to a light refreshment to tune the right sense of “hangout”. It was indeed a social media hang out as education and interaction amidst fun and entertainment reflected all through the evening and everyone present attested to that.

The Host, Rtn Ifeanyi Aniagoh welcoming the participants

Aniagoh, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the Gov Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Social Media, while giving his opening remarks reiterated the purpose for the hang out. He said it was a platform for all social media influencers irrespective of their position and ideology to sit together, agree and argue fact and not assumption. He noted that, “We have the means to empower ourselves and redirect the thinking of our fellow youths towards building a better future for themselves by making positive use of the Social Media today”.

“Anambra Social Media Hangout offers us as a new initiative the opportunity to key into Gov Obiano’s commitment to youth entrepreneurship by means of nurturing competent future leaders for global challenges,” Aniagoh added.
After the opening remarks followed the Acquaintance Session which had the participants getting to know each other, making new friends and sharing online details. It was a day to remember as many friends and “enemies” online happily connected for the first time offline.

A view of Facebookers

The participants were then shown a short documentary about the momentous strides of Governor Willie Obiano. The clips from the video documentary presented and showed facts about the achievements and ongoing projects of Anambra State Government. The participants were wowed at the level of laudable achievements of Gov Willie Obiano’s administration in less than two years.
Next was the Tutorial Session. Invited guest speakers took turns to speak on social media and its influence, dwelling on how it can be used as an effective tool for societal building. The Blog Chief at ashiwaju.org, Bamidele Ajayi, who doubles as the Chairman of Anambra Online Publishers lectured the participants on “How to make money online”. From his presentation to his replies to questions asked by the participants, he explained the details of how Social Media can change the fortune of online dwellers.

AOP Chairman, Bamidele Ajayi making his resentation

Then followed the Testimony Session.  Iconic participants like Nwankwo Overbrown of jambaze.com, inspired the gathering by sharing how he started with a small site which has now become a household name. Okechukwu Onuegbu, the Blog Chief at news48hrs.com shared how he has carved a wealth yielding niche on cyberspace with local and international clients.

       

Many more speakers; special guests, Facebookers, Twitstars and bloggers bared it all. And not forgetting the MD of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Uche Nworah, who took the microphone and started with a piece of advice about what we blog or write emphasising that, “every writer must ensure that he/she doesn’t attach selfish sentiments to his/her writing” while sharing how his career success rests on a blogging experience.

       

Hon Tokas Ohazuluike, a Facebooker and former member of Anambra State House of Assembly expressed happiness over the attendance and content of Anambra Social Media Hangout while sharing his life-enriching experience on Facebook. On the same note, Primus Odili, who is the Senior Special Assistant to Gov Willie Obiano on Special Duties shared his life as a Social Media influencer and encouraged the participants to see online business as a serious affair.
It was never a boring moment, while the popular OAP of Rhythm FM, Jay-Banks moderated the event, the DJ at different times, serenaded the showground with nice tunes.

  

The MD of Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency, Jude Emecheta; Uchenna Wiper Okafor, Chido Obidiegwu, Paul Nwosu and Emeka Ozumba (Senior Special Assistants to Gov Obiano on IGR, Events, Image and Media respectively); Chika Ibeneme, SA on Media & Image Management; Blessing Nnamekwe, SA on Youth Mobilization and Chris Uzoechina, SA on Special Duties/ED, Taskforce on Parks & Markets were among the special guests present.

Some Special Guests: Chris, Wiper and Jude

Participants ranged from site owners to social media influencers with millions of followers on Twitter, Facebook and other social media platforms. There were bloggers from Anambra Online Publishers; Anambra Student Bloggers Forum and the Alpha Bloggers Club.

       

Aside serving as a medium of meeting, the Anambra Social Media Hangout has become a platform to disseminate information on the importance of decorum, unity of purpose and human resources quality in cyberspace. Anambra SMH pictures, videos and stories are published and shared to blogs and social media accounts managed by the participants.
This 2^nd edition, promoted via the hashtag #AnambraSMH, was supported by Ifeadinmesi Blog, Anambra Blog, National Light Newspapers, Ashiwaju Media, Anambra Broadcasting Service amongst others and endorsed by Anambra State Government.