By Becky Momodu
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed plans to engage about 4,000 social media influencers to highlight and communicate the projects and achievements of the President Bola Tinubu administration to Nigerians.
Umahi made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja while responding to presentations by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) who had embarked on inspection tours of federal infrastructure projects in the North West.
The Minister said the proposed initiative was part of efforts to ensure that Nigerians were adequately informed about ongoing and completed government projects, particularly infrastructure developments.
According to him, the government must strengthen its presence on social media and provide factual information about its activities amid criticisms and competing narratives online.
“We have to fight this social media war. So, we have to launch 4,000 social media places to tell our story, and I want you to advise me on how we do it,” Umahi said.
The Minister said the government was proud of its achievements across various sectors and urged stakeholders, including students and young Nigerians, to help communicate developments they had personally witnessed.
“We have to tell our story. If you don’t say I am good, nobody will say you are,” he said.
Umahi also said the Federal Government was committed to completing ongoing infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges leading to educational institutions.
He said the construction of pedestrian bridge and similar infrastructure around university campuses were important to the safety and welfare of students.
Umahi explained that the inspection tours undertaken by student leaders were significant because they allowed beneficiaries to see infrastructure projects for themselves rather than relying solely on information circulating online.
Umahi also highlighted ongoing work on major road and rail infrastructure, including projects along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and rail expansion in northern Nigeria.
He appealed to Nigerians to protect public infrastructure, expressing concern over vandalism, destruction of road furniture, removal of manhole covers and other acts that could undermine government investments.
The Minister maintained that infrastructure development should be seen as an investment in Nigeria’s future, urging citizens to protect completed and ongoing projects.
Earlier, the NANS President, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde Afeez expressed concerns that some students in the North West are not aware of some of the ongoing and completed road projects in region, emphasizing the need for the Ministry embark on rigorous awareness campaign.
