The Executive Secretary of the Borno State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (BOSCHMA), Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, has organized a one-day capacity-building workshop for social media influencers and concerned citizens in the state.
The workshop was aimed at promoting responsible social media engagement, raising awareness on the dangers of drug abuse, and strengthening participants’ understanding of ethical and lawful online behaviour.
In his welcome address, Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza appreciated the participants for accepting the invitation and taking time to attend the workshop. He encouraged them to actively participate in all the presentations and make good use of the knowledge gained during the sessions.
One of the key presentations was delivered by Ibrahim Mala Usman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), who spoke on Drug Abuse Prevention and Its Dangers. His presentation highlighted the negative effects of substance abuse, with particular emphasis on its impact on social media use, online behavior, and young people.
Another session was facilitated by Bukar Lawan Maigana, who spoke extensively on the responsible and ethical use of social media. Participants were enlightened on the importance of verifying information before sharing, avoiding misinformation, respecting the rights and privacy of others, and using social media platforms as tools for positive engagement and community development.
A legal practitioner also delivered a presentation on the legal framework, penalties, and consequences of irresponsible social media use, drawing the attention of participants to the legal implications of spreading false information, defamation, cyberbullying, hate speech, and other forms of harmful online activities.
The workshop also featured a presentation by a psychiatric doctor on substance abuse and its impact on mental health, where participants were educated on the psychological and social consequences of drug abuse and the importance of prevention, early intervention, and seeking appropriate support.
Speaking further, the Executive Secretary, Dr. Saleh Abba Kaza, emphasized the important roles and responsibilities of BOSCHMA in improving access to quality and affordable healthcare services for the people of Borno State. He enlightened the participants on the agency’s efforts toward ensuring financial protection and reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses through contributory healthcare programmes.
Dr. Kaza urged the social media influencers and concerned citizens to become positive agents of change by using their various platforms to promote health awareness, responsible communication, peace, and the dissemination of accurate information within their communities.
The one-day capacity-building workshop provided an opportunity for meaningful interaction, learning, and knowledge sharing, while reinforcing the collective responsibility of citizens, professionals, and social media influencers in building a healthier, safer, and more informed society.