Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation Organizing Partners

Shehu Musa American University of Yar’Adua Nigeria (AUN) is the only The International Foundation American style university Republican Institute Host Organization in Sub-Saharan Africa. (IRI) is a nonpartisan Located in Yola, Adamawa organization based State, its mission is to be a The Yar’Adua Foundation endeavours to in Washington DC that focuses on further the ideals of late Shehu Yar’Adua; development university-educating students to advancing freedom and democracy his commitment to national unity, good be future leaders and solving pressing local, worldwide by developing political parties, governance and to building a just and regional and continent wide social, political and civic institutions, open elections, good democratic society for all Nigerians. economic challenges. governance and the rule of law. IRI works The Foundation’s public policy initiative in over 60 countries and has worked addresses issues of public concern through in Nigeria since 1999 to enhance the conferences, roundtable discussions, credibility of the electoral process. IRI’s advocacy and publications. current work in Nigeria is funded by The Canadian High USAID and DfID. Commission strives to strengthen a democratic Nigeria under the rule of law, that protects Enough is Enough human rights and advances good governance, Nigeria transparency and accountability Co-organizer Omidyar Network is a philanthropic investment EiE is a coalition of individuals and youth- Center for Policy firm dedicated to led organizations committed to a culture of Research and harnessing the power of markets to create public accountability in Nigeria. EiE created Development opportunity for people to improve their the RSVP (Register/Select/Vote/Protect) Solutions lives through economic, social and political Campaign to leverage technology, especially (CPRDS) is a development policy organization change. social media, to mobilize significant and think-tank established to address policy participation from citizens in the 18-35 and knowledge gaps within government, civil age bloc in the 2011 elections and beyond. society and the private sector, and to produce Post-elections, EiE continues to focus on robust advocacy materials. Policy and voter education, awareness and the use of Legal Advocacy technology to drive good governance and Centre (PLAC) accountability. is an independent, non-governmental organization that Department For promotes good governance and citizen Galaxy International participation. PLAC is committed to help Backbone Plc Development (DFID) make the Nigerian legislature at the local Communications is leading the British Government’s fight state and federal levels, accessible and Partner against world poverty. accountable to the Nigerian people.

Galaxy Backbone provides information and communication technology infrastructure CLEEN and services to the Federal Government of Foundation Nigeria. Galaxy Backbone is committed to The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation encouraging and enabling the effective use of works to promote public safety, security and ICTs by government. accessible justice through legislative advocacy, demonstration programmes and publications The John D. and Catherine T. in partnership with government and civil MacArthur Foundation established society. CLEEN is registered as a non-profit an office in Nigeria in 1994. It AA PeaceWorks is non-governmental organisation in Nigeria, works in the areas of Population and an NGO working in works in several countries on the continent Reproductive Health and Human Rights the fields of peace and and has observer status with the African and International Justice. Its program development since 1992. Commission on Human and Peoples Rights. on Higher Education is winding down Best known for its work while it explores the possibility of in the Niger Delta with starting a new initiative on post primary governments, companies, communities and education for girls. members of armed groups, AA PeaceWorks Independent National has used social media extensively in Electoral Commission constructive engagement of youth in their (INEC) is the principal agent own governance process. of democracy in Nigeria. INEC is a permanent body created by the constitution to organize Federal and State elections in Nigeria. Contents

2 Introduction

3 How Did We Get Here?

4 Opening

5 Global View

7 Nigerian Elections: Moving Forward

10 Engaging Government

14 Music and the Spoken Word

16 The Naija Generation

18 Linking Local Actors with New Media Tools

18 Governance: Transparency, Leadership & Accountability

20 Social Trends: Driver for Progress

22 Capacity Building: Citizen Empowerment Strategies

24 Early Warning Systems: Citizen Protection

25 Closing

25 Social Media Surgeries

25 Press Coverage

26 Recommendations

27 Conference Presenters

Conference Report 1 Introduction ...It is estimated Nigerian citizens are increasingly determined to have a say in how they that 6 billion active are governed. Communication is no mobile phone lines longer a one-way process directed from leaders, but a two-way process that exist worldwide... allows the public to interact with elected officials. Anonymity further emboldens citizens to speak their mind.

The Nigerian Government has responded positively to increasing access to ICT and mobile phone technology. The Ministry of Communication Technology is committed to facilitating the development of ICT infrastructure with an end goal of expanding the number of internet users in Nigeria to 70 million by 2015. As ICT infrastructure is rolled out, Nigerians will enjoy even greater access to cheaper and faster internet services. New media has the potential to become the preferred avenue for government to 465 million accounts and is growing effective new ways of advocating, provide access to information while at a rate of 11 accounts every second; creating awareness and fundraising. engaging with the electorate. This YouTube witnesses over one billion Organizations and people across sectors presents an important opportunity video views in a day. can collaborate efficiently and work to mobilize new media to achieve cost-effectively. Moreover, service civil society goals and objectives for What becomes increasingly clear is that users can take part in discussing and transparency, accountability and good new media encompasses vital tools designing solutions to problems that governance. of convergence for people across the affect them. world - a rallying point for sharing New media tools are predominately information. When the goal is social Putting these tools to effective use accessed using portable electronic action, new media offers exciting tools does, however, require new approaches devices, the most common being mobile for engaging with governments and and skills. Successful adoption phones. It is estimated that six billion public institutions. Between June 2009 requires social change organizations active lines exist world-wide. Sixty seven and February 2012 an interconnected to innovate and think creatively percent of Nigerians own mobile phone series of upheavals described as the about their programmes, invest in SIM cards that enable access to new “Arab Spring” spanned countries learning, develop long-term technology media tools. This may be a relatively including Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and engagement strategies, allocate human low percentage compared to 96% in Yemen where new media served as a and financial resources differently, and Botswana and 92% in South Africa but powerful agent of change, deployed in forge new partnerships. with Nigeria’s population well over ways traditional media was incapable 150 million people, 67% translates to of. This report seeks to cover highlights of 101,271,578 active SIM cards. Nigerian the New Media and Governance: Tools internet subscribers total 45,039,711.1 The most popular social media tool in and Trends conference and attempts This critical mass of mobile phone users Nigeria is Facebook with 5,051,980 to offer pointers for the future on the offers extraordinary untapped potential subscribers; the 32nd most populous promotion of sustainable development, for the use of new media as a force for country on the networking site. Sixty good governance and peaceful co- public good. eight percent of users are male and 32% existence. The report generally female; 71% are Nigerians between the follows the chronological order of the New media technologies are comprised ages of 18 and 34.2 conference, first establishing Nigeria’s of micro-blogging, podcasts, photo and current capacity and the work of video-sharing sites, weblogs, internet New media technologies enable real- international players. It then considers forums and social bookmarking. time data collection and monitoring, the role new media played in the 2011 Facebook is reputed to have over one innovative forms of information elections and looks at how government billion users, 901 million of which sharing as well as service provision. is using new media. Breakout sessions are active; Twitter features more than These tools offer organizations introduced new media tools to provide citizens increased access to information. 2 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends ...Nigeria is the How Did We Get Here? fastest growing Nigerian politicians actively utilized social media in their 2011 campaigns, mobile phone sending bulk text and voice messages in unprecedented numbers. President Jonathan declared his intention to run on Facebook and subsequently market on the became the second most “liked” head of state in the world after US continent... President Barack Obama (fanpagelist.com).

Following a roundtable in early March 2011, INEC officials welcomed the assistance of civil society volunteers to establish Facebook and Twitter accounts as well as a new media Situation Room. The Situation Room received feedback from the public and later began to provide real time information.

Social Media Tracking Credits

Aggie Developed by Center Managed Supported by Yar’Adua Technologies & International Development Lab by EIE Nigeria Center Georgia Institute of Technology Volunteers

Finally, the report makes recommendations Partners: to government, civil society organizations, and citizens for improved governance in Nigeria.

The conference sought to answer the following questions: Page ƒ 1 In an effort to capture the impact of this phenomenon, a Social Media Inanefforttocapturetheimpactofthisphenomenon,aSocialMediaTrackingCentrewasthen How do we leverage tools and Tracking Centre was established by a coalition of government and non- information so that more Nigerians are establishedgovernmentbya  partners.coalitionof Thegovernment projectand wasnon fundedͲgovernment by thepartners. Yar’AduaTheproject Centrewas fundedby aware of their rights and responsibilities theandYar’Adua staffed Centreby volunteersandstaffed frombyvolunteers Enough fromis Enough.Enough isTechnicalEnough.Technical help camehelp camefrom as citizens to ensure that our elected from the Berkman Center at Harvard University and a team at the the Berkman Center at Harvard University and a team at the Technologies & International and appointed officials are accountable Technologies & International Development Lab, Georgia Institute of to the people they serve? DevelopmentTechnology.Lab, ActivitiesGeorgia ofInstitute this first-everofTechnology. trackingActivities centreof arethis documentedfirstͲevertracking in centreare How do we influence governance at all documenteda report, Trackinginareport, Social“Tracking Media:Social TheMedia: SocialtheSocial MediaMedia TrackingTracking CentreCentreand the2011 levels in Nigeria using new media? and the 2011 Nigerian Elections. NigerianElections”. Conversely, how does government pursue the goal of good governance through new media? Total Social Media Numbers ALL Elections 1,685 157,975 Number of pictures citizens posted Number of SMS Conference participants were drawn from relating to the April messages sent by 2011 elections all tiers of government, civil society and citizens relating to the April 2011 elections the private sector, and included policy 70,000 makers, international development partners, 296,254 Estimated representatives of non-governmental number of voters Number of comments who contributed made by citizens to the content and community based organizations and relating to the April individuals. Over 450 participants took 2011 elections using twitter, and other 455,914 web-based services part in the two day event. Guest speakers Total social media content featured from the US, UK, Canada, tracked Page ƒ 7 Finland and Kenya, joining Nigerian  speakers, popular performing artists, WhatWhat began began as  asa review a review session session on the on role the new role media new played media in  playedthe 2011 in elections, the  quickly activists, bloggers and some of Nigeria’s 2011 elections, quickly evolved into the idea of a strategic conference to evolvedintotheideaofastrategicconferencetobuildontheexcitingworkofnumerousgroups most talented, tech savvy purveyors of new build on the exciting work of numerous groups and individuals, including media. andyouth.individuals, includingtheyouths. 1 Nigerian Communications Commission  2 socialbakers.com OpeningPlenary Conference Report 3

 ‘YemiAdamolekun,ExecutiveDirector,EnoughisEnoughNigeria “WelcometothefirstconferenceontheAfricanContinentonNewMediaandGovernance.” Opening Plenary Opening Address

“Welcome to the first conference on the African Continent on new media and governance.” ‘Yemi Adamolekun Mrs. Omobola Johnson Executive Director Honourable Minister Enough is Enough Nigeria Communication Technology

In her welcome address, ’Yemi Specific objectives of the conference Honourable Omobola Johnson Adamolekun highlighted the role of were: reaffirmed the importance of new media in opening up governance To increase awareness amongst new media to facilitate access to channels in Nigeria and acknowledged citizens, civil society actors and information through innovative new preliminary efforts made by state policy makers of the potential of platforms that give people a voice actors to embrace new media as a tool new media as a tool for public concerning how they should be for governance. good; governed as well as setting an agenda for their government. She stated that She noted that ‘the dynamics To share experience and events have clearly demonstrated that have changed. While we agree knowledge of tools used around governments cannot afford to ignore that a relatively small percentage the world and explore possibilities new media. of Nigerians are connected and for adaptation, particularly literate, our objective is to make pertaining to key governance The Federal Government, through critical information available to issues such as budget tracking and the Ministry of Communication those who can then influence and security; Technology, is committed to disseminate information in their local enhancing the democratization of communities.’ To create a space for hands on information on the internet so that all learning on the use of different Nigerians, regardless of their social Organisations including Enough forms of new media for civic or demographic status, can have is Enough Nigeria, ReclaimNaija, engagement. access to government information WangoNet and iamLagos established and services. Publishing budgets platforms to provide the Nigerian She closed by stating that while on the internet gave room for all public with real time information social media did not cause the Arab Nigerians to know how their money on the elections by leveraging new Spring, it gave a voice to existing is being spent. She noted that the media tools that enabled citizens real networks and made organizing National Assembly’s recently passed to participate fully. Following the and communicating easier and more Freedom of Information Act commits successful deployment of these dynamic. government to provide non classified new media tools and initiatives, information to citizens on demand. organizing partners of the New Media What is unarguable is that new and Governance Conference were media has made it easier for citizens Beyond providing relevant, accurate determined to further gain from what to make their voice heard and force and up to date information to had started during 2011 elections government officials to respond. She citizens, the Federal Government by bringing together government asked participants to consider how is also committed to increasing the policy makers, civil society, academic we leverage tools and information to delivery of government services institutions, the private sector and ensure that more Nigerians are aware online. At present only 49% of the youth to explore the use of new of their rights and responsibilities as media for improved governance, citizens to ensure that our elected and transparency and accountability in appointed officials are accountable to Nigeria. the people they serve.

4 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends Global View

“… Governments cannot “There is a new African afford to ignore new media. revolution underway. It may well This is becoming THE way produce the most important in which citizens want to socio-economic and political communicate and engage change seen on the continent with government and with since de-colonization. It isn’t the outside world...” fought with bombs and bullets, Professor Steven Livingston but rather with bytes.” George Washington University Washington D.C.

government Ministries, Departments, Professor Livingston’s thought These include: and Agencies (MDAs) have functional provoking lecture focused on Mobile telephony websites. By December 2014, it is how technology can be utilized to Fibre optic connectivity expected that every MDA will have a empower civil society. He stated Remote sensing satellites and website and information on a general that information technology and geospatial data government portal to facilitate easy collective action in the developing Communication satellites and access to government information. world through the use of new media ground receivers The Federal Government is also tools may well produce the most committed to increase procurement important socio-economic and The recent expansion of cellular of government services online and is political change seen on the continent service in Africa has had significant on the verge of ensuring that 15-20% since decolonization. He observed political effects as a direct result of the of government service procurement is that Africa’s information revolution growth of mobile technology. New online by the end of 2012. relies on an interlocking constellation media tools and platforms created of overlapping and reinforcing to effect political change in Africa For those citizens without access to technologies that are refined and include: the internet, government contact harnessed by human ingenuity to centers are being established as call solve problems and meet culturally Ushahidi following the 2007 centers to provide information in specific needs. Kenyan elections that incorporated English and local languages. Two pilot centers are expected to be African operational by the end of 2012 or Undersea Fibre early 2013 in Lagos and Calabar. Optics Cables ICT incubation centers will also be established to provide developers with testing support, access to cutting edge market research, mentoring and business development advice, grants and funding to help turn an idea into a commercially successful or socially beneficial application.

She closed by challenging the conference to provide useful, practical insights on how new media can be used to improve governance.

Conference Report 5 45,000 incident reports to create digital maps visualizing patterns of violence; “…Government, civil society ReclaimNaija election reporting and businesses working system used in 2011 and 2012 elections; together equals a race to the RapidSMS used to track stocks top for open, effective and and distribution of 70 million long responsive government…” lasting insecticide treated bed nets to prevent malaria; Stephen King Rapid Android used to report Partner, Omidyar Network, UK community statistics on health, food supply, and bed net usage; Stephen King addressed the Countries applying for Open Community knowledge workers conference on the ‘Power of Open’. Government Partnership must fulfill the who close critical information gaps He noted that events of the last 18 following requirements: for poor smallholder farmers in months, including Occupy Nigeria, Uganda; Occupy Wall Street and the Arab Fiscal Transparency Voix des Kivus employs mobile Spring have doused skepticism about Access to Information phones to report conflict in the the importance of open government in Disclosures related to elected or Congo; fighting corruption. He expounded on senior public officials M-Pesa and MTN MobileMoney opportunities now open to Nigeria. Citizen Engagement to collect salaries, pay bills and transfer funds; The Open Government Partnership The multilateral initiative is headed Networked collective action in (OGP) was launched in September by a steering committee that aims to areas of limited statehood as an 2011 by the U.S. and Brazil with restore people’s faith in government alternative mode of governance; eight countries as inaugural members by securing concrete commitments Innovation centres and support including Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, to ensure openness and transparency services. Philippines, South Africa, and the in government, empower citizens, United Kingdom. The OGP now fight corruption, and harness new Additional international platforms features 55 nations representing 1.78 technologies to make government work include: billion people or 25% of the world’s for people. population. Ipaidabribe.com to report Mr. King acknowledged a burgeoning incidences of requests for bribes by interest in these themes and a growing government service providers in tech community in Nigeria that is India; experimenting and collaborating. Co- In Afghanistan, electronic payment Creation Hub in Lagos is supported by alerts done via SMS exposed Omidyar Network and a great example fraudulent commissioners who had of an incubation space producing social been carving out chunks of salaries applications and using technology for from police officers working social benefit. under them. This had been going on for years and would not have been exposed if the new payment method had not been adopted.

September 2011 Launch

6 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends Nigerian Elections and New Media: Moving Forward

The session reviewed the role new media played in the 2011 elections and examined how stakeholders can leverage this experience to expand citizen engagement in future elections.

“…The level of interest shown by the younger generation in the 2011 elections was never before witnessed in Nigeria’s political history…”

Professor Attahiru M. Jega The Honourable Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission

Professor Jega stated that the use incidents requiring swift security interaction with the public on of social media was ‘a profound intervention; these platforms even outside experience in real time interaction Mobilised citizens, particularly election days/seasons? with the public’ and went further the younger generation, to to say there is no doubt that this participate at every level of the In this era of freedom of helped the transparency of the electoral process; information, courtesy of the act process and contributed in no small Potential to entrench and deepen signed into law by Mr. President measure to the acclaimed success our democracy. on May 28, 2011, how can we of the 2011 general elections. The deploy new media platforms 2011 general elections represented Professor Jega also identified more effectively for proactive the first election in Nigeria driven challenges and potentially negative dissemination of information? by new media. A newly established aspects of these undoubtedly useful Situation Room served as the main tools including: vehicle for interaction with the general public using new media Vehicle for information as well platforms. Beyond this, the use of as misinformation. Number new media provided a vehicle for the of alarms received in the unprecedented mobilization of the Situation Room during elections emergent generation of youth in the turned out to be red herrings. political process. This was crucial as Might there be a way to filter voters between the ages of 18 and communication on new media 35 constitute 62.4% of the 73.5 platforms to avert possible million people registered by INEC unsavoury consequences of false Amara Nwankpa during the voter registration exercise alarms? Enough is Enough Nigeria conducted in early 2011. Basic requirement for access to Moderator, Amara Nwankpa, New media tools and applications most new media platforms is reaffirmed that a major learning point have profoundly added value to the literacy which can be a daunting of the 2011 elections was the fact that electoral process. Specific benefits challenge in Nigeria. How can people felt they owned the process. include: we make these platforms less Communities organized themselves restrictive, so they can be used to ensure that voter registration and Enhanced transparency of the more widely for voter education election processes succeeded. New political process and making purposes? media helped to bring all of this to INEC more accountable to fruition as people regularly shared the public in its conduct of Unlike conventional media, new information about the process on elections; media platforms are particularly platforms that encouraged and Strengthened oversight of the active only when elections are mobilized greater participation. electoral process by empowering underway. Can we propose the public to alert INEC of a programme for sustained

Conference Report 7 Real Time Monitoring of Events: 2011 General Elections

1. Situation Room: Deluge of SMS i. Inbound: 111,992 (Including SMSs from ReclaimNaija) ii. Outbound: 300,000 Dr. Mohammed J. Kuna Nike Adekanbi Special Assistant to the Chairman (INEC) 2. Tweets: 1,173 iamLagos 3. Facebook: 861 Updates with “…farmers, market 15,530 likes Dr. Mohammed Kuna provided women - everyone can further details about the Situation 4. Call Logs use SMS.” Room established during the 2011 i. Inbound: 12,235 elections: ii. Outbound: 852 IamLagos created awareness during Featured banks of television 5. Arrests : Unknown; Deaths: 8; voter registeration and supported monitors, cable television, mobile Kidnaps: 39 Lagos residents in monitoring the 2011 phones, analog lines, BlackBerry elections. messenger service, computers, 6. Total Data Transmitted / Received: printers, internet connectivity, 3GB Information sent via SMS, power point projectors and websites, newspaper adverts, screens, notice boards and social Source: INEC tweets, Facebook and fliers to media platforms Twitter and create awareness and encourage Facebook. As Nigeria moves toward 2015, Dr. participation in the electoral Phone operators collected calls Kuna stated that INEC is making process; from voters and complaints were arrangements to expand on the Technology inexpensive, user attended to through a chain of use of new media. He challenged friendly, and easily duplicated. command. participants to develop rules that can Application can be used in other Messages received from various govern its use by political parties and states during future elections; incoming platforms were classified drew attention to the importance of Use of SMS had biggest impact according to urgency and civil society organizations holding because of its cost effectiveness; responded to accordingly. political parties to certain minimum To succeed you must build New media was critical as it requirements to make primary relationships with relevant increased participation, provided a elections more transparent and government agencies to ensure that transparent platform for reporting share funding sources for campaign complaints are attended to. incidents and offered feedback to donations on line. INEC.

Trends in the Use of New Media by Electoral Monitoring Boards

India: Participation & Fraud Prevention UK: Encouraging Youth to Register & Vote New Zealand: Youth Participation in Registration & Voting

8 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends Highlights of his presentation:

Georgia Tech provided technical Imperative that Africa develop assistance in establishing and its own applications and software running the Social Media created to address local realities; Tracking Centre. During post- Elections are periodic. How can election violence, the Centre we use new media to increase was reconfigured to analyze citizen engagement in order Michael Best incidents of violence and electoral to ensure a robust democracy Georgia Institute of Technology malpractice; by introducing checks on government.

Mr. Best described the power of Clear Early Warning Signs of Rising Tensions new media as a vehicle for a ‘virtual after the Presidential Election of April 16, 2011 political revolution’, as witnessed in the Arab Spring and OccupyNigeria, with an emphasis on social and political processes of governance, participation, accountability and transparency.

New media offers availability of information to stimulate debates, make informed choices, organize broad based participation and become a voice for the voiceless. He suggested these tools are so powerful they can regulate relationships between states and citizens as well as shape how the Nigerian Government is viewed around the world.

Audience Participation

Questions: Reponses:

1. How can INEC harness the voter 1. INEC is willing to establish registration database to reach out to stakeholder consultations on how to citizens for voter education purposes? better deploy new media for successful elections.

2. What plans does INEC have for on- 2. Continuous voter registration will line voter registration? commence before the end of the year.

3. Can the experience of the Situation 3. Important to establish an electoral Room be adapted for peace building offenses tribunal to hear cases of and conflict management? electoral offenses. INEC was faced with 875,000 cases in the 2011 elections.

Conference Report 9 Engaging Government The session examined how government and civil society stakeholders can establish appropriate structures to take advantage of new media tools. It sought to identify existing federal, state and local government initiatives that can be embraced by elected officials. Speakers also encouraged citizens to take responsibility for engaging with government.

“…social media has changed the game, even for those in government. You ignore citizens at your own peril.”

Nigeria by June 2012. Governor Kayode Fayemi Creating an e-portal (www. Gerald Ilukwe Ekiti State ekitistate.gov.ng) where citizens CEO, Galaxy Backbone can access information, ask questions and seek clarification. Governor Fayemi, a scholar, Most notably, Ekiti was the first Galaxy Backbone’s pioneer Chief development practitioner and state to post its complete budget Executive Officer, Gerald Ilukwe, human rights activist stated that his online. reaffirmed his company’s mission to administration is deeply committed Establishing a wireless state encourage and enable the effective use to running an open, accountable through the laying of fibre optic of ICT in government. administration. He offered that he cables. has ‘disrupted’ governance through Introducing a biometric system As the provider of communications the use of digital media and the for the state and local government technology services to the Federal citizens are better for it. civil service. Government, Galaxy is committed to delivering critical government The Governor identified ongoing The following projects have been services online to a larger percentage initiatives in Ekiti State to integrate realized in Ekiti State: of Nigerians. To this end, Galaxy new media tools into the affairs of Backbone has provided over 3,500 government. He stated this is key Citizen identification cards government locations with access to a to executing his vision to position establish accurate information for common network infrastructure it calls Ekiti State within a global framework beneficiaries of social services. OneGov.net. This essentially means in order to transform the state into that over 450 Federal Government an economic hub and destination of E-payment system in tax MDAs have sufficient access to begin choice for business and tourism. administration has increased engaging citizens electronically. internally generated revenue from The administration embarked upon approximately 100 million naira Furthermore, Galaxy Backbone is the development and implementation to over 600 million naira. working with relevant ministries to of a robust digital media strategy in develop a single window portal to 2011, identifying civic engagement as State website is now the second facilitate easy access to government its most critical aspect. Key objectives most visited state government information via new media tools. of the programme include: Providing website in Nigeria. real-time or near real-time authentic, These moves are an essential part of believable, credible evidence of service The Governor was questioned the e-Governance campaign of the delivery. Elements of the programme whether he anticipates the increased Federal Government to expand citizen include: use of ICT will lead to redundancy engagement and facilitate access in the public service and how he to government information from Creating and institutionalizing intends to deal with this challenge. anywhere. effective global engagement with He was also asked whether the states Ekiti stakeholders; presence in new media has translated Promoting participatory to increased foreign investment. democracy, inclusive governance Governor Fayemi replied that he and accountability; believes there is a direct correlation Making the state one the top three between visits to the website and leading public digital brands in interest in investment in the state.

10 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends The World Bank is fully committed facilitating learning and innovation to helping the Nigerian Government while ensuring effectiveness of scale. “Citizen engagement should achieve its aim of creating policy encompass the entire dialogue on open government The World Bank supports the spectrum of new media – at federal and state levels by Nigerian State Health Programme incorporating mainstream ICT Investment Credit (NSHPIC), including SMS which is a applications for social accountability FADAMA III and the Nigerian common denominator even into existing programs and projects Open Government Framework in for those in the rural areas.” via an open framework. The Edo State. Each project features idea behind the initiative is to the assessment of roles and provide a common platform for responsibilities of government and strengthening citizen-state service citizens, beneficiary capacity for cell provider relationships; reframing phone reporting, and identification of Examples of how the Nigerian understandings about ICT and social relevant civil society organizations as Government at the federal, state and accountability; leveraging existing facilitators. local levels has embraced new media projects and partnerships; and include: Donor partner Posting the federal budget on World Bank Support to Government of Nigeria line; support to State governors, ministers and government legislators using Facebook and innovations include: Twitter platforms to engage with the public. Budget/ expenditure tracking Citizen information centres ICT for crime and violence detection and prevention

Caroline Sage Social Development Specialist The World Bank

“Communication is key but there has to be a dialogue.”

Caroline Sage stated that interaction between citizens and government is rapidly changing. She noted that new media is the primary medium of communication among youth, and suggested that if government wants to engage young people, it will have to use new media.

Conference Report 11 “We intend to make technology the engine of running government.”

ICT is one of the enablers of the development strategy of Edo Yemi Keri State to generate employment, Open Government Pilot Project Honourable Tonye Isenah Edo State expand production in key sectors, provide information via an open Member, Bayelsa State House of Assembly data plan and engage citizens.

Yemi Keri noted that Edo State The state’s ICT development enjoys one of the highest literacy strategy will run from 2009- Honourable Tonye Isenah discussed rates in the country and therefore 2020. Targets include harnessing how he is using new media to provide has a large reservoir of human capital ICT as a development tool, access to information and elicit public that can be tapped for economic and encouraging involvement of all opinion to government policies technological transformation. She stakeholders in Edo State, moving through his online constituency office. identified political will as essential to the perception of ICT from a the success of new media initiatives cost to an enabler and using Primarily run on Facebook, the and stated that ICT is viewed as one ICT to promote transparency, initiative enables him to interact of the enablers of the development participation and collaboration. with citizens, including those in the strategy of Edo State to generate Diaspora, and includes: employment and expand production Goals of the Edo State pilot in key sectors. To this end, 500 project beyond 2012 include Dissemination of key documents, graduates have been employed to fully embracing e-government including the state budget; run the state’s ICT programme. She for efficiency, transparency highlighted ongoing Edo State efforts and technology-driven data Circulation of proposed Bayelsa in support of open government. management within a citizen State House of Assembly driven process that is open and legislation; The Open Government Pilot Project networked. in Edo State recognizes that: Eliciting public opinion and reactions on proposed bills and government policies.

Open Government Framework OpenOpen Government Government Framework Framework

Policy Policydialogue dialogue on OG on OG with MDAswith MDAsand CSOs and CSOs

Open DataOpen Data Open Open SurveySurvey on data on demand/ data demand/ supply supply Portal Portal Budget/ Budget/ SpendingSpending by MDAsby MDAsand CSOs and CSOs

Citizen Citizen MonitoringMonitoring Eng. Eng. Serv. Serv. platform platformDelivery Delivery IdentificationIdentification of platforms of platforms and and prioritypriority activities activities

SupportSupport to DoICT to DoICT in in costingcosting of OG ofInitiative OG Initiative

MilestonesMilestones for proposed for proposed eGov/ eGov/ trans pillartrans - pillar Edo DPO- Edo DPO Page ƒ 5Page ƒ 5

12 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends find a champion who will promote their cause within government.

Further to this, he noted that:

Most government websites are usability failures. A way forward is to concentrate scarce internal resources to provide basic Paul Lenz information and contact details Senator Bukola Saraki Head of Finance and Operations of elected officials; Chairman mySociety Focus should be on making Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology available accurate, timely and “Less can be more. useful data in formats that can be Government websites should used by researchers, charities and social entrepreneurs; Senator Bukola Saraki is recognized offer simple tools that To encourage people to embrace for his active use of ‘tweet meets’ deliver tangible benefits.” your programme, you must be by his Senate colleagues and the passionate about issues. Don’t general public. His #ABS interactive sessions have enabled him to Mr. Lenz stated that public office holders just do things for monetary or put names with faces of online should be open to public scrutiny but we social gains; constituents and members of the need to work to persuade government The success of citizen community. The response has been that releasing information is to its own engagement with government instructive as it has helped sharpen benefit. Citizens must demonstrate that depends on the creation of the approach needed to tackle value can be unlocked from data released. effective tools and strategies; matters such as unemployment, He suggested that Nigeria focus on local Citizens and government must education and entrepreneurship. communities in order to carry people be convinced that the use of new along through the use of new media. He media would create a win-win In prepared remarks sent to the recommended simple approaches that situation; where citizens can conference, he suggested it has deliver benefits, use of existing channels convey their expectations to become paramount for government and replacement of poor solutions where government and government in officials, employees and even necessary. It is important that citizens turn can inform citizens about their efforts and intentions. contractors to embrace the use of new media to show transparency and accountability in public service through direct engagement with stakeholders. concept of public service is lacking in Nigeria. He noted that: Additional highlights include:

Citizens do not make demands It is now possible for citizens to on government. When they do make their political opinions and so, messages need to be framed presence known and to play a appropriately; more active role in governance;

Chidi Odinkalu Use of new media is limited by Through his website and Twitter Head of The Africa Programme poor electricity supply in Nigeria; account he obtained real life Open Society Justice Initiative images and reports from people Public servants underutilize affected by the Bonga oil spill. government’s ICT infrastructure This made it easier to initiate Lead discussant, Chidi Odinkalu, – many government agencies do an on-the-spot assessment by asked, “How do you achieve not have functional websites; the committee who visited the interaction between government location in record time; and the governed? How can citizens Information produced by make demands on government?” government agencies is not Encourages the use of new He suggested this is best achieved organized in ways that can be media to fight crime. through public service though the easily accessed.

Conference Report 13 Music and The Spoken Word Entertainment genres serve as powerful vehicles for inspiring youth to affect social, political and economic change in Nigeria. The conference hosted a dinner featuring socially conscious performances by cutting edge artists, Darey, Banky W, and Efe Paul.

Honourable Farouk Muhammad Lawan, Chairman, Ad-Hoc Committee on the Subsidy Regime, House of Representatives, reminded the audience that politicians respond to public pressure. “The truth is that when politicians are put under pressure, they respond. In a country like ours, we need transparency and accountability. Steadfastness can bring about the change we desire in this country. We need to create a new Nigeria with new ideas and new principles. We have the responsibility to make a change. We can do it.”

Mr. Julius Court, Team Leader, Governance and Social Development, DFID spoke on the importance of good governance and transparency and noted that the British government was immensely proud to be associated with the event. He congratulated everyone who either contributed formally or raised questions in the meetings.

His Excellency, Mr. Chris Cooter, High Commissioner of the Canadian High Commission, stated that this is a new and wonderful world thanks to new media and we need to think about how we will use it to promote transparency, accountability and governance in Nigeria.

14 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends Bill Gates The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

In a recorded goodwill message, Bill Gates noted, “A lot is happening in social media in Nigeria. Pushing it towards improved governance will be very important. I’ve always believed that technology can improve lives.” He encouraged Nigerians to use new media and said that “the impact you can have will be incredible.”

Efe Paul Azino

This is Not a Political Poem “…all men are created equal. But some men have become more equal than others so they loot and plunder, dip their bowls into our collective purse, fill their bellies…”

Conference Report 15 Naija Generation and New Media The session focused on how new trends in entertainment and popular culture can drive increased levels of youth engagement and participation in governance.

“…only constructive engagement on a platform Chude Jideonwo, Managing Partner, of knowledge and in an Red Media Group and Executive Director of the Future Nigeria Project atmosphere of mutual respect moderated the session. He began by can bring about enduring saying that: positive change…” New media is about interaction Honourable Bolaji Abdullahi using the best tools in relation to Minister the cause and expected outcome; Youth Development Focus should no longer be about using new media to attract followers but its use as a strategic The Minister defined the Naija Seek and cultivate opportunity tool for change; generation as those who have for knowledge and meaningful embraced the totality of their Nigerian information on a broad range New media is incapable of solving identity by transcending primordial of policy subjects, including all problems and its impact ethnic and religious affiliations. As understanding how governments remains limited to a cadre of children of a post modern culture, at all levels operate; youth who keep up with the the Naija generation is uniquely rapidly changing information empowered to effect social change. Be conversant with legislative landscape; processes and executive policy, While acknowledging that new media developing real understanding of Effective use of new media and popular culture have dismantled budgets; tools requires focus on capacity the last vestige of limits on freedom building. of expression and offers the potential Develop an active interest in for mobilizing youth engagement politics, engage with the political and participation in government, system at all levels, even beyond he fears that too often engagement elections; and participation become ends in themselves rather than opportunities Become more inclusive, to affect how decisions are made and democratic and representative; government is run. Provide multiple platforms for He suggested that engagement has engagement; resulted in a celebrity culture where columnists, bloggers, and publishers Be more tolerant of alternative become ‘stars’ obsessed with a quest viewpoints; for internet hits, media subscriptions and Twitter followers. Stating that Seek to build mutual respect, changing Nigeria is a marathon not a where other people and sprint, he offered recommendations government officials can engage to the Naija generation in order to without being insulted and/or take advantage of its unique power as abused. offered by new media:

16 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends Banky W Darey Art Alade Efe Paul Azino

Bankole Wellington, stage name Darey Art Alade, a singer of Efe Paul Azino, one of Nigeria’s Banky W, offered a more optimistic international repute asked whether foremost spoken word poets, noted perspective on new media in Nigeria. entertainment icons should use that new media is not an end in He encouraged the audience to take their status to influence the political itself but a means to an end - good full responsibility of the new Nigeria process and suggested there may be governance. He also stated that: project and suggested: unintended risks. New media is a tool; the extent The problem with Nigeria is failed He identified present realities: to which it can drive youth leadership and citizen apathy; activism depends on the technical The use of new media proficiency of those who use it; Nigeria will change when young is constrained by poor people decide that ‘enough is infrastructure; If youth are to engage enough’; government, they must develop Nigerians should be practical organized structures to push New media is about us. regarding government through demands; Government representation on communication with the general Twitter and Facebook is far lower public using new media; Good governance requires than that of independent new character – selflessness and media bloggers and users; More socially conscious music discipline; needs to be produced in Nigeria. It is the duty of youth to make Popular culture is often an change happen by voting and obstacle to the virtues of participating during elections; selflessness and discipline by promoting self glorification; If you are not happy, protest. To make popular culture relevant to demands for good governance, we need to make our music and other art forms more socially relevant to Nigeria.

Conference Report 17 Linking Local Actors with New Media Tools Breakout sessions introduced tools for assessing civic engagement, government accountability and citizen protection. Each session identified African uses of new media tools. Technology is the answer – but what was the question? - Cedric Price

Governance: Transparency, Leadership and Accountability The session featured methods, processes and applications of new media tools that have proven useful in demanding accountability and transparency from those exercising leadership.

Occupy Nigeria was the most organized protest in recent Kole Shettima Chuks Ojidoh Country Director memory due in Deputy Project Director John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Community Life Project part to the use

As facilitator of the session, Dr. of social media Chuks Ojidoh introduced Shettima’s opening remarks included: ReclaimNaija as a broad-based citizens reporting platform established in 2010 New media offers mechanisms to to bring together a vast network of hold leaders accountable; community based partners across the country. The network is comprised Occupy Nigeria was the most of informal sector workers and trade- organized protest in recent based-groups such as associations of memory due in part to the use of mechanics, carpenters, vulcanisers, social media; welders, commercial motor bike riders/ owners, market women, electricians, New media on its own does not tailors, hairdressers as well as guarantee participation; community development associations, members of civil society, faith-based A combination of new media organisations and government and street organizing makes the agencies. difference. ReclaimNaija is:

Designed to enhance participation of citizens, organizations and local institutions during elections by promoting electoral transparency, accountability and democratic governance in Nigeria;

18 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends UK offered technical expertise and experience to make it self-sustainable. The prototype is easily adaptable to fit other African contexts, including Nigeria.

Recent additions to the Mzalendo website include:

Jessica Musila MP scorecards rating accessibility, African Project Lead spending and attendance of mySociety www.reclaimnaija.net parliamentarians; Searchable Hansard; Driven by the Ushahidi web Open data information including engine as a reporting platform census, registered voter, education to enable citizens to monitor and health data; the electoral process and report www.mzalendo.com Additional partners to provide incidents of electoral fraud and information and act as multipliers malpractices by sending text Mzalendo was created in 2002 by in disseminating data. messages or calling dedicated two young like-minded Kenyans GSM numbers in four major to promote a stronger public voice languages (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and enhance public participation in and Pidgin). Frontline SMS politics. is used as the gateway for text messages. Citizens can also report Mzalendo seeks to keep an eye on via email, direct reporting on the Kenyan parliamentarians by: site and Twitter; Providing relevant information Reports received by ReclaimNaija on activities of Parliament; MPs, were critical in INEC’s decision and aspirants ahead of upcoming to extend the deadline for voter elections; Future developments for the Mzalendo registration by two days in Demonstrating it is possible and website will include: communities with limited access necessary for Kenyans to demand SMS interface to registration centres; accountability from public Write to them officials and institutions; Hear from your MP The effectiveness of the platform Ensuring workings of Parliament Polls depends on buy in from citizens. are easily accessible to young Hansard breakdown (motions, CLP encourages civil society Kenyans through the website, ministerial questions) organizations and stakeholders to Twitter account, and Facebook use the reclaimnaija.net platform page. Changes in Kenya since introduction to facilitate open access to of Mzalendo include a new information. Mzalendo is the only free constitution, access to information parliamentary monitoring site in and increasing public participation in Sub-Saharan Africa. mySociety, government.

Federal Government of Nigeria 2012 Budget Proposal The application presents statistics Debt service: and facts in a format easy to read 11.78% www.yourbudgit.com and understand. Statutory Transfers: Oluseun Onigbinde, Director of 8.38% Green Acts Group and Project Lead, Mr. Onigbinde offered that as introduced BudgIT as a revolutionary a social enterprise, BudgIT is MDAs: committed to transparency and Consolidated 57.87% new media tool created to educate Revenue Fund Nigerians on the budget and other sound governance by bridging the Charges: public information through the use gap of ignorance, an important 21.42% component for democracy to of tweets, interactive formats and Federal Executive infographics. flourish. Bodies: 0.55%

Conference Report 19 Social Trends: Drivers for Progress

The session explored current and future trends in new media applications that can drive good governance initiatives and discussed Jibrin Ibrahim Chude Jideonwo global trends that foster sustainable Director Executive Director progress. Moderated by Charmaine Centre for Democracy and Development The Future Project Pereira, an independent feminist scholar and author, she emphasized that the session would focus on As lead discussant, Dr. Ibrahim emerging social trends in the form observed that new media tends to cater to society’s trend toward limited and usage of new media to effect sound bites and short attention social change. spans. New media often does not www.thefuturenigeria.com provide context, analysis or a deeper Chude Jideonwo introduced The Future understanding of issues. He did, Project as a social enterprise focused however, note that new media was on leadership, entrepreneurship and instrumental in bringing increased governance with an emphasis on young awareness of the federal budget when Nigerians. The platform has adopted figures of the President’s food budget Media4Development as its primary tool. were released. Projects include:

“When that thing came The Future Enterprise Support Scheme out, within minutes it was The Youth Application Centre The Ideas and Innovation Fair ’Gbenga Sesan all over - everybody was Executive Director Paradigm Initiative Nigeria talking about it. It brought Mr. Jideonwo stated that new media is attention back to the about interaction and discussion, not just budget.” applications. Whichever tool or application is best suited for the achievement of your objectives is the right tool, whether websites, Facebook, Twitter, blogs, newspaper columns or bulk SMS. www.eienigeria.org/revoda

’Gbenga Sesan stated that deliberate attempts have been made by young people to effect social change, triggered by a sense of urgency regarding the security situation in the country and unmet expectations by our political leaders.

Online discussions focus on the state of the nation and what people can do to save the country. This translates as significant information sharing among young people in both online and offline discussions and meetings; High point was the fuel subsidy protest in January 2012. However, that singular event should not be viewed in isolation.

20 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends Civil Society Uses for Social Media

Extend visibility and reach of information Listen and engage in dialogue Establish trust, credibility, thought- leadership Become a curator of information - Mari Tikkanen influencer Founder and Managing Director Collect, act on and publish real-time M4ID information Harness collective intelligence/ crowd source Design targeted co-created services Enable digital activism/participation Employ effective collaboration tools www.m4id.fi Present issues in an engaging, An understanding of the big picture inspiring way is relevant because the build up to the January 2012 protests actually started Mari Tikkanen stated that M4ID Recommendations from the Session in 2010 during ‘Save Nigeria’ and (Marketing for International Included: other protests that occurred after that Development) supports non-profit period. organizations in the use of new media Change makers should consider technology to enable them to make their target audience and means of The buzz on social media is being a greater impact in development and communication in order to deploy brought offline through various advocacy health. M4ID provides a wide range tools that will be most effective. processes, street movements and protests. of social media and mobile phone Policy formulation and Mr. Sesan noted that new media is services. They have created numerous implementation are not just about beginning to feed mainstream media with global campaigns and service concepts government; people have to be information for more effective, timely leveraging on a variety of new media involved. and efficient reportage. tools. She suggested participants think Civil society organisations should about what motivates and triggers a obtain information regarding a Opportunities resulting from this targeted audience. range of new media applications revolutionary trend include: available to them in order to chose Key Shifts those best suited for their purpose. Enlightened citizens are working Civil society doesn’t have to re- together through mobile based More people are becoming active invent new tools to be effective, citizen empowerment platforms. on Twitter and using the platform what is important is that they While this trend continues, it holds to further causes and campaigns; use available tools to deliver their massive opportunity for positive People are changing their message to their target audience. impact in the 2015 elections and information sourcing habits. New media tools must be thereafter in deepening democracy. YouTube, Google, Wikipedia are contextualized to face local social- Report of Honourable Farouk quickly becoming the main source economic and political realities. Lawan led probe panel on fuel of information for bloggers; The content of your message is very subsidy removal dredged up a lot News is regularly finding us important because facts, figures, of figures and corrupt practices. through networks of people we and analysis are critical to social Citizens can therefore seize the respect; change. Focus on research and build opportunity to ask probing Celebrities are not necessarily the content of your message for questions and force government strong currency for social change maximum effectiveness. to act on the report. Politicians through new media; Persons with disabilities should respond to pressure. New media has become a utility be mainstreamed into new media Citizens should begin to tool as much as a tool for social applications concentrate on their Local interaction. Government should see new media Government Councils. They as a tool for effective governance should keep their eyes open; ask rather than as an impediment. questions, share information and form networks for holding Local Government officials accountable. Conference Report 21 Capacity Building: Citizen Empowerment Strategies The session explored strategies and tools to provide citizens access to information and support networks to engage and empower those demanding greater participation in government.

solutions and entrepreneurs. The Approach Hub is Nigeria’s first open living lab for technologists, entrepreneurs, technology companies and investors. It is a place to:

Facilitate creative thinking and collaborative problem solving Encourage technology innovation Clement Nwankwo in Nigeria Executive Director Encourage shared accountability Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre between technologists and innovators Serve as a living lab for prototyping and testing As facilitator, Mr. Nwankwo Build new skills and competencies emphasized that the focus would be Connect, share, create and find www.seismonaut.com how to: expertise Help citizens mobilize through Jonaz Schwarz Lausten, Business new media; New media applications and platforms Development Manager, described Help government understand created by CcHUB include: Seismonaut as a digital innovation what citizens expect from them; BudgIT: a web platform designed consultancy founded in Denmark Improve capacity of the to easily comprehend the Nigerian to create digital solutions, services messenger. budget and public sector spending and products for companies and using infographics www. governments across Europe and Africa. yourbudgit.com Their goal is to help mobilize citizens iWatchlive: a platform for citizens in order to make their voices heard to: to measure the performance of government against plans and Promote increased transparency in promises provided for in their governance budgets www.iwatchlive.org Help citizens express expectations Constitution App: a web and of governance mobile platform to make the Nigerian constitution available Core offerings created specifically for to all. Version 2.0 covers J2ME, Africa include: Blackberry and Android www. Femi Longe constitutionforall.com.ng Online Ethnography Co-founder, CcHUB Residents Report: a platform that Ethnographic Research allows citizens to report damaged Lead-User Identification public services to responsible public Technology Scan institutions for prompt repair Ideas2020: a web platform to Innovation model: www.cchubnigeria.com crowd-source small community CcHUB was co-founded by Femi projects to be implemented by Map: Research based in Longe and Bosun Tijani as a social citizens to drive Nigeria closer to ethnography pivotal to gaining innovation centre dedicated to achieving the goals of Vision2020 insight into both the market and accelerating the application of social through grassroots led initiatives end user. capital and technology for economic www.ideas2020.com Create: ideas and concepts based prosperity. The platform encourages Voteguard: a web and mobile on the Mapping-phase. citizens to make contributions platform to enable citizens to Shape: perfect concepts from the towards solving common problems monitor election results reported by Create-phase. by nurturing globally relevant the electoral commission in Nigeria Build: solutions based on solid research, knowledge and methods. 22 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends WANGONeT

www.mysociety.org www.theyworkforyou.com

www.nigeriaelections.org Head of Finance and Operations, Mr. Paul Lenz, defined mySociety Oluwaseun Akinfolarin, Project Budget Monitoring and as a nongovernmental organization Lead, introduced WANGONeT as Enlightenment Toolkit that builds websites to give people a nongovernmental organization simple, tangible benefits in the civic that leverages technology to tackle Local Government Budget and and community aspects of their multifaceted challenges facing our Expenditure Tracking Tool lives. Through demonstration, it society. teaches the public and volunteer Mr. Akinfolarin spoke to the sectors how to use the internet WANGONeT’s objectives include: importance of messaging and advised most efficiently to improve lives that users of new media consider the To facilitate private sector following: mySociety projects include: efficiencies among NGOs by assisting them to become key Capacity of the message: How TheyWorkForYou.com – UK critical sectors for advocacy of the a message goes viral is directly parliamentary monitoring reform process. proportionate to the quality of the message. WriteToThem – UK website To serve as a one stop shop for for contacting elected ICT support, solutions, and Capacity of the channel: Is representatives needs for NGOs, donor agencies, the medium adoptable by an government and the private existing social action community? WhatDoTheyKnow.com – sector. Can the system be modularized UK Freedom of Information and distributed? How can the request website WANGONeT projects include: tool leverage the personal social network of the messenger? Alaveteli – International Drivers of Change Freedom of Information Capacity of the messenger: To website used in Brazil and Anticorruption Internet Database consume, produce and propagate Kosovo new media content. FixMyStreet.com – UK local fault reporting website, also launched in Norway

FixMyTransport.com – UK transport problem reporting and campaigning website

Mzalendo.com – relaunch of Mzalendo website in Kenya in February 2012

Conference Report 23 Early Warning Systems: Citizen Protection The session focused on identifying innovative early warning system mechanisms driven by new media, featuring tools developed for mapping in the areas of crisis, conflict management, and peace building.

Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director, African Leadership, Strategy and Y. Z. Yau, Centre for Information Development served as lead discussant Technology and Development, for the session. He noted that Nigeria is suggested how to effectively deal one of the countries that has embraced with rumors. He advocated that: the Ushahidi platform and explained how new media was used successfully in the Civil society should monitor 2011 elections: social media content for Innocent Chukwuma rumours through online Throughout the election, the Executive Director Nigerian Police, Civil Defence Corps CLEEN Foundation platforms such as Ushahidi, websites, blogs, forums, and Police Service Commission twazzup.com. operated hotlines open to the public. Following the post-presidential Innocent Chukwuma served as election violence, the National facilitator of the session. Security Advisor also established hotlines. The rapid exchange of information contributed to saving Developing an early warning system for countering rumours lives.

•MonitoringofSocialMediaContentforRumours:Monitoring focusedonwhatpeoplewriteanddisseminateincyberspace Stage1 •AnalysisofResultofMonitoring

•DisseminationofCounterActionPlan www.ushahidi.com Stage2 Daudi Were, a Kenyan technologist, •ImplementationofCounterActionPlan data and information strategist introduced Ushahidi as an open source •AssessmentofWhatHappens Stage3 software platform for information gathering, visualization, interaction and

 mapping. Ushahidi, a Swahili word meaning ‘testimony’, is a crisis mapping tool developed to track violence Gidi_Traffic Is an interactive forum where following the flawed 2007 elections in inquiries are tendered and solutions Kenya. Digital maps were created to Bethia Idoko represented @Gidi_ offered. visualize patterns of violence based on Traffic, a service that leverages social Has grown to become one of the 45,000 reports submitted via the web media to provide real time traffic most trusted Twitter handles in and mobile phones. updates and useful information to Nigeria. motorists, victims of accidents, crime, Served as one of the handles during He further stated that the Ushahidi crisis and violence. Gidi Traffic was the Occupy Nigeria protests that platform: created in 2011 using social media received live feeds from various technology to aggregate and share protest grounds and broadcast Can easily crowdsource information traffic data. Initially focused to them to users nationwide. using multiple channels, including provide information on Lagos traffic, Has been instrumental in dousing SMS, email, Twitter and the web. it has grown into a tool for quickly rumors of violence and chaos. disseminating information in real time Features tools for democratizing in order to help people navigate trouble information, increasing transparency www.twitter.com/gidi_traffic hot spots. @Gidi_Traffic: and lowering barriers for individuals www.facebook/GidiTraffic to share their stories. 24 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends Closing He suggested that new media can Commissioner noted that leaders change the direction of Nigeria’s future must be careful of what they do, if we can leverage technologies and as their actions have consequences. make use of our greatest asset, young Change is driven by champions people. Pursuing goals via platforms and backed up by numbers, that encourage and support the two determination, and perseverance. way flow of information between the He stated, “Government is not your public and the government can result enemy or partner; it is your servant.” in extraordinary development for our H.E. Chris Cooter future. He asked participants to consider: Canadian High Commissioner He further stated that new media What does the use of new media has replaced the way we report, live, mean for future elections? “Be persistent, be patient, learn, and work in Nigeria and while How can new media platforms be practical and you will the full power of new media is yet to cope with a vast number of new succeed.” be felt, it is providing a springboard media users? that can radically change the economic How can new media be used to and political climate of Nigeria. introduce checks on government His Excellency Chris Cooter, He suggested that with the fastest and increase civic engagement? Canadian High Commissioner, growing telecoms market in the world, How can we use new media to delivered closing remarks. we need to properly leverage it for engage citizens to ensure a robust social and political change. The High democracy?

A PowerPoint presentation summarising the conference was presented by Judith Burdin Asuni.

Conference presentations can be downloaded from www.eienigeria.org/newmedia

Social Media Surgeries Press Coverage

Extensive press coverage of the event included both traditional media as well as new media. Leadership and Daily Trust newspapers offered complimentary full page adverts. Sixty journalists represented 11 newspapers, 7 magazines, 6 television networks, 2 radio stations, 14 bloggers and 4 civil society organization media offices.

The conference was discussed live on Twitter using the hashtag #NGNewMedia and live-streamed on several websites. The BBC Hausa service conducted a comprehensive interview with Dr. Kole Shettima, MacArthur Foundation and Y. Z. Yau of the Center for Information Technology Booths featuring Facebook and Facebook and Twitter accounts were and Development, Kano, that was Google; Blogs and Twitter; ISPs, established or reactivated. Mobile broadcast in their popular morning radio Mobile Apps and Telecoms, catered to apps were downloaded and blogs were programme. conference participants by providing created. Omidyar Network donated answers to social media related flash drives that enabled conference questions and suggesting possible participants to download conference strategies for utilization of these tools speeches and presentations. and platforms.

Conference Report 25 Recommendations Response to the post-conference survey indicated The following recommendations emerged from a an enthusiastic embrace of new media tools for broad cross section of stakeholders, partners and advocacy and awareness. Project and partnership participants: initiatives include:

Government Government INEC committed to expanding its use of new See new media as a tool for effective media for civic education governance rather than an impediment Ministry of Communication Technology Utilize new media to find out what people committed to Open Government Partnership are saying in order to serve people better Police and Road Safety Commission to Use new media to study trends for a proactive incorporate new media platforms into their approach to solving problems current strategies Extend visibility and reach of information Listen and engage in dialogue Establish trust, credibility and thoughtful leadership Civil Society Publish real-time information Enable digital activism/participation EiE to establish Situation Room to monitor Create a crisis communication plan to respond Edo State elections with World Bank funding to crisis and deploy the best platform to support communicate with citizens IRI to partner with Banky W to produce a Present public policy in an engaging fashion documentary encouraging Nigerian youth to Use new media platforms to engage and participate in the political process involve youth EiE and Yar’Adua Foundation to partner on an oil revenue tracking initiative Omidyar to support a partnership between EiE and mySociety to develop a Mzalendo Civil Society project in Nigeria IRI to implement a Mzalendo digital score Align current strategies with the right media card project for state government elected tools officials Adapt new media tools and applications CLEEN, ReclaimNaija and EiE to create readily available in Africa government monitoring tools to be used by Present issues in an engaging, inspiring way transport workers Deploy strategies to reach target audiences CITAD to train northern based organizations using new media on use of new media tools Learn more about target audience; know ReclaimNaija to assist BudgIT to expand its what motivates and triggers their involvement capacity to mainstream at the grassroots level Become a curator of information and use it to CcHUB and AA PeaceWorks to develop a influence social change platform for monitoring roads in the Niger Establish clear boundaries and guidelines on Delta the use of new media M4ID to partner with Women’s Rights Advancement & Protection Alternative (WRAPA) to offer free help in campaigning and mobilizing support for the Violence Individuals Against Persons Protection Bill Interest in introducing new media into Look beyond the use of new media for purely curriculums of youth skill acquisition training personal ambitions programmes Utilize new media tools at your disposal to Interest in monitoring abandoned find your voice and engage with government government projects Analyze data and remember that facts and Deaf Association to establish ICT trainings figures are critical for social change Partners for Peace created a Facebook page

26 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends Conference Presenters

Adamolekun, ’Yemi is the Executive Chukwuma, Innocent is Executive Jideonwo, Chude is a journalist, Director of Enough is Enough Director of CLEEN Foundation, an media entrepreneur, new media Nigeria. NGO that promotes public safety, consultant and public speaker. He is security and access to justice through a Managing Partner of Red Media Adekanbi, Nike initiated the empirical research, legislative advocacy, Group with a development subsidiary iamLagos project that created demonstration programmes and called The Future Project. awareness during voter registration publications in partnership with and supported Lagos residents in government and civil society. Keri, Yemi serves as the Executive monitoring the 2011elections. Director of the Directorate of Idoko, Bethia created Gidi_Traffic, Information Communications and Akinfolarin, Oluwaseun is the an online based service using Twitter Technology (ICT) for Edo State Project Lead in WANGONeT, where to update users on traffic, security Government responsible for the he manages ICT for Development and general information generated via management and supervision of the projects including using mobile crowd-sourcing. centralized ICT structure and various and social media technology for an ICT initiatives resulting in the use electoral intervention in Nigeria Igbuzor, Otive is the Executive of ICT as critical enabler for the full through the www.nigeriaelections.org Director of the African Centre delivery of e-government in Edo State. portal. for Leadership Strategy and Development, an NGO established to Kuna, Mohammed J. is Professor and Art Alade, Darey popularly known as build strategic leadership in Africa. He Technical Adviser to the Chairman, Darey - is a Nigerian multi-platinum, is also a member of the Police Service Independent National Electoral award-winning musician and singer- Commission (PSC). Commission (INEC). songwriter. Ilukwe, Gerald C. is the pioneer Lausten, Jonas Schwarz has Asuni, Judith Burdin is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Galaxy established digital strategies for several Executive Director of AAPeaceWorks. Backbone. As an IT professional, he Danish municipalities, which have AA PeaceWorks has trained thousands has made significant contributions to evolved around citizen engagement of Niger Delta citizens in the use of the Nigerian and African Information and Government 2.0. Jonas is always social media. Communications and Technology up-to-date with the latest digital industry. trends in Africa, in both the mobile Azino, Efe Paul is regarded as one of space and on the web. Nigeria’s leading spoken word poets. Isenah, Tonye Emmanuel is the He leads a generation of visionary Deputy Majority Leader of the Bayelsa Lenz, Paul is Head of Finance and poets in using the medium as a State House of Assembly, representing Operations for mySociety, a U.K.- transformative tool for the masses. Constituency 1 of Kolokuma/ based organization that builds Opokuma Local Government Area. websites to give people tangible Best, Michael L. is associate He is the first member of the BYSA to benefits in the civic and community professor at the Sam Nunn School have an online constituency office. aspects of their lives. He project of International Affairs and the managed re-launch of the Mzalendo. School of Interactive Computing Ibrahim, Jibrin is the Director com website in Kenya. at Georgia Institute of Technology. of The Centre for Democracy and He is also a Faculty Associate of the Development, a non-profit research, Longe, Femi is Co-founder & Berkman Center for Internet and training, advocacy and capacity Director for Programmes at Co- Society at Harvard University. Best’s building organization established Creation Hub Nigeria. He leads on research focuses on information and to mobilize global opinion and Open Living Labs, CcHub’s approach communication technologies (ICTs) resources for sustainable democracy for co-creating innovative solutions to for social, economic and political and development in the West African social and commercial challenges. development. sub-region.

Conference Report 27 Conference Presenters contd.

Musila, Jessica is the Africa Project Uganda. Odinkalu became Chairperson Director of Paradigm Initiative Lead for mySociety, the UK- of the Governing Council of Nigeria’s Nigeria (PIN), a social enterprise that based organisation that created National Human Rights Commission connects underserved people-groups TheyWorkForYou, WhatDoTheyKnow, in 2011. with ICT-enabled opportunities. FixMyStreet, etc. Her role is to ensure He was Nigeria’s first Information that Mzalendo (Patriot in Swahili) has Ojidoh, Chuks is the Deputy Project Technology Youth Ambassador and the maximum positive social impact Director for Community Life Project served as the Vice Chair of United in Kenya, overseeing social media (CLP), initiators of Nations Economic Commission for promotion and marketing of the site the ReclaimNaija project. CLP works to Africa’s African Technical Advisory and building a volunteer network to promote gender equality, participatory Committee. support the initiative. grassroots development and the inclusion of marginalized, vulnerable Shettima, Kole is Director of the Nwankpa, Amara is an I.T. sub-populations in the governance John D. amd Catherine T. MacArthur professional who served as a social process. Foundation in Nigeria. media strategist with the Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria, R.S.V.P. Onigbinde, Oluseun founded BudgIT Tikkanen, Mari is the founder and campaign. He was responsible for in February 2011 based on his belief in Managing Director of M4ID. Based coordinating the Social Media Tracking a transparent society where every citizen in Helsinki, Finland, M4ID’s mission Centre during the April 2011 general within a community has equal access is to leverage new communication elections. to information about the monetary and technology in support of development fiscal position of their society. and health. Nwankwo, Clement is currently Executive Director of Policy and Sage, Caroline is a Senior Social Wellington, Bankole popularly Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) Development Specialist in the World known as BankyW - is a Nigerian based in Abuja, Nigeria. He co- Bank Abuja Office where she manages multi-platinum, award-winning founded Nigeria’s first human rights projects that use social media and other musician and singer-songwriter. group in 1987 – the Civil Liberties ICT tools to promote more transparent Organisation. He found and led the and open governance processes. Constitutional Rights Project (CRP) Caroline has a background in Law, Were, Daudi Khamadi is a Kenyan from 1990-2003. Anthropology and Film and has worked technology, data and information on justice and governance issues in strategist who supports citizens to Odinkalu, Chidi Anselm heads the developing countries. provide solutions to problems in their Africa programme of the Open Society communities. As Project Director at Justice Initiative; is a member of the Saraki, Bukola is a Senator Ushahidi, Daudi works on innovative National Executive Committee of the representing Kwara Central and the ways technology can be used to bring Nigerian Bar Association and Co- former Governor, Kwara State (2003 - about positive change in communities Chairperson of the Citizenship Rights 2011). across the world. in Africa Initiative based in Kampala, Sesan, Gbenga is the Executive Yau, Y.Z., Centre for Information, Technology and Development (CITAD) employs technology as a tool to promote sustainable development, good government and peaceful coexistence. It uses ICT to empower youth and women through access to information, skills and online mentoring opportunities and utilizes platforms such as social networking, web-to-text interface and Google alert to provide information to promote peaceful coexistence.

28 New Media and Governance:Tools and Trends New media technology enables all of us to work better together to promote sustainable development, good government and peaceful co-existence. This conference offered an important opportunity to share experiences that we believe will enhance the work of government policy makers, civil society activists, students and community based organizers and citizens committed to the public good. We want to once again express our sincere appreciation to our organizing partners, presenters and sponsors who contributed to this ground breaking conference. Most importantly, we want to thank participants who traveled from across the country and around the world to attend.

Conference Sponsors

Canadian High Commission Central Bank of Nigeria

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Partnership Initiative for the Niger Delta (PIND)

@bukolasaraki Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Foundation

One Memorial Drive Central Business District Opposite Sheraton Hotel and Towers Federal Capital Territory (F.C.T.), Abuja, Nigeria

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