Sterling Bank Seeks Support for Social Media

Sterling Bank Plc said there was need for corporate organizations and financial institutions to collaborate on the efforts towards promoting the social media for the development of the society and the nation at large.

Abubakar Suleiman, executive director of the bank, stated this at a press conference to announce the commencement of voting for the Social Media Award Africa (SMAA), in Lagos.

He said: “It is a significant part of our society and we have a role to play because not everything can be done by the government.

“The society will gain a lot with this. We seek association with some other companies to drive social media for development and that is our aim. We believe it will impact positively on the society.”

He attributed the bank’s decision to support the 2014 SMAA to the need to recognize and celebrate excellence, creativity and the impact of social media on human socio-economic development through its platforms by individuals and organizations across the continent.

According to him, the social media has become the voice for governance and a significant part of the society, adding that the award would spur activities in the space and make the users become more focused and creative in order to attract more recognition.

Femi Aderibigbe, Project Lead, SMAA, explained that there are nomination opportunities into four categories of 15 awards, which has already recorded 3,230 nominations within two weeks, out of the initial target of 700 nominees.

According to him, the nominees were screamed based on eligibility and validity of claims. “Credible international partners are working with us in judging the nominees and the African arm of the world organization responsible for pushing for transparency across the world took responsibility to work with us in the judging process to ensure sustainability and we have elite and sponsors committed in doing this project in the next five years. This would help to checkmate the growing misuse and abuse of the social media. We want to see more decency on that space.”

Prizes to be won, according to him, include dollar denominated cash prizes, professional and institutional trainings on social media, access to mentorship opportunities, among others.