Friends Africa’s session at the 2nd Lagos Social Media Week tagged “The Power of Advocacy: Using Social/ other forms of Media”, scheduled to hold on February 21st from 10:30 – 11:30am at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos. This worldwide event explores the social, cultural and economic impact of social media and seeks to help people and organizations connect through collaboration, learning and the sharing of ideas and information.
Friends Africa is pan-Africa’s leading health advocacy organization which works to mobilize strategic political and financial support for the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria through advocacy, technical assistance, documentation and capacity building. With the support of an active and effective board which consists of H.E Madame Jeannette Kagame, First Lady, Rwanda; Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, H.E Gen. Yakubu Gowon and other captains of industry who are committed to the fight, we have raised over $50 million from African governments to support the fight against these pandemics and have also set the pace and spurred the private sector into action through our Gift from Africa Campaign that has raised over $5million towards Africa’s healthcare.
With recent happenings around the issue of HIV/AIDS, Violence against Women and other socio-economic issues, this session is designed to focus on the important role social media and other media platforms play in advocacy; drawing attention to a development issue. It will attempt to highlight the ripple effect of these actions and how platforms such as yours can address these issues. It will inspire change by sharing real life experiences and best practices from actors on the field who have successfully advocated for a cause using programmes and other media platforms to increase attention on the issue.
The session will also look into the role of government agencies, security personnel (the police, army), on air programs/ personalities, social media outlets, bloggers, celebrities and key influencers within society whose platform can be utilised to further advocate and ensure that civil society groups work endeavour that the right results are achieved.
You will be sharing your views on the important role that social media plays in advocacy drawing from your vast experience. The panel consists of very high level seasoned speakers including Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Former CEO, Access Bank PLC; Mo Abudu, CEO, EbonyLife; Mr Emeka Oparah, VP Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel; TV; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Executive Director, Women Arise for Change Initiative; Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria amongst others. An array of guests are confirmed to attend-from Chief Executives and Directors of non-profits, human right organizations, on- site and virtual activists, civil society groups, media and outreach officers of non-profits and staff of grassroots NGOs to the General Public.
This event will create a unique opportunity for you to enlighten people on the power of advocacy using as well as mention your organization and its activities.