Social Media Week Lagos 2020 kicked off today with a myriad of interesting conversations across multiple industries, but our highlight for day 1 is on the Sterling Bank discourse.
When Sterling bank revealed the topic for their panel session at this year’s Social Media Week Lagos event, it got twitter-verse talking.
They called it, ‘Social Media Wars; Dreads, Tattoos and Passwords.’
But it wasn’t just the title alone that got the social space buzzing, but the lineup of panelists that were to engage in the conversation.
Advocate and all round good guy, Sega.
Activist and 21st century superhero, Rugged man.
And surprisingly, PR person of the Nigeria police.
Renowned OAP, Gbemi O, was also on hand to steer the conversation across murky waters.
The conversation started civil-like with soft pointers at why the system is erroneously profiling young Nigerians based on their outward appearance.
It soon quickly devolved into accusations and counter accusations on the calibre of policemen that patrol the streets and the many other atrocities of the Nigeria police.
The audience were soon riled up, murmuring at intervals to convey their obvious displeasure at where the conversation was headed.
Sega, diplomatic as ever, fielded the angst of the crowd by mentioning the progress they were making in the fight against the unprofessional conduct of the police force.
The bill recently passed and signed to forestall further profiling of young people just by their appearance and the push for capital punishment to discipline men of the force who kill innocent citizens.
Here are some of our favourite quotes from the conversation:
“You can’t prejudge and be said to be inclusive at the same time.”
- Abubakar Suleimen, MD Sterling Bank
“We need to begin to course correct and reimagine the failing system.”
- Sega Link
“Nigerians are Nigeria’s problem. We need to begin to care beyond tweeting love emojis and really love by taking positive action.”
- Ruggedman
“Anytime you tweet about the conduct of the police, it really affects us.”
- Dolapo Badmos PRO, Nigeria Police
That’s it for today, watch this space and we’ll keep you posted about all the daily events.
