By Patience Ogbodo-Iwuagwu Correspondent, Bauchi

The Bauchi State Information Commissioner, Salihu Ibrahim Halilu, says the social media have the potential to facilitate dialogue, exchange of information and ideas, and to organize and galvanize for collective action.

Halilu stated this during a training workshop on the use of social media for peace campaign organized by a non-governmental organisation,  Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), held at River Hedge Hotel Bauchi.

He also noted that social media networks are very active in defending social, environmental and political rights, freedom of the press, as well as denouncing human rights abuses.

He explained that social media and mobile communication plays significant role in transforming virtual ideas into public action, as it also allows access to information not intended in corporate media in the preparation of peace in the society.

Halilu said social media  sites and tools could be effectively and positively used for public mobilization and campaign for peace and community integration, as well as for harmony and social cohesiveness.

He pointed out that youths have the potential to build cross cultural links with other religions, ethnicities and backgrounds through the use of social media and popular means of interaction.

The commissioner also noted that social media have created spaces for more people than at anytime past in the history to become engaged with important issues of our time.

“They have made a significant and enduring difference to the way people organize for social and political activism, create economic opportunities, facilitate disaster response, link networks across national divides, and share previously inaccessible information and knowledge”, he added.