By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
In commemoration of the Nigeria Youth Day celebration, the State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Ebonyi State chapter, Hon. Comr. Douglas Ochishi, has charged youths to desist from using social media as a weapon to attack or defame political leaders, especially as the nation approaches the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, Ochishi said the Youth Day offers an opportunity to recognize individuals who have contributed significantly to youth development in the country.
He noted that the sacrifices of many Nigerians over the years have played a vital role in the emancipation and empowerment of young people.
According to him, while social media has become a powerful tool in shaping national conversations, many young people are increasingly using it negatively.
“Today, it is easy for anyone to buy an Android phone and start writing anything,” he said. “But when we use our social media platforms, we shape the future of our country and our state. Recently, people have turned these platforms into battlefields, launching media wars and using people’s faces to push attacks. This is not good.”
Ochishi warned that destroying a person’s image is far more damaging than demolishing a physical structure.
“If you destroy a house, you can rebuild it. But when you destroy someone’s image, rebuilding it is not easy,” he said.
“There are better, more diplomatic ways to correct our leaders than using negativity and insults online.”
He stressed that as the political climate heats up ahead of the 2027 elections, youths must avoid igniting conflict through online comments, propaganda, and smear campaigns.
“It is not good for you as a youth to ignite fire that you cannot quench,” he cautioned. “This Youth Day should remind us to desist from political media calumny. Instead of attacking people, let us use social media to suggest solutions and address societal issues positively.”
The youth chairman also encouraged young people to embrace hard work, productivity, and personal development.
He praised the empowerment initiatives of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru under the ‘People’s Charter of Needs’ and acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed interest in youth development.
“As we celebrate this year’s Nigeria Youth Day, we must be hardworking and shun every form of social vice. Government is doing its part; we must support it and stop sabotaging efforts aimed at empowering young people,” he said.