*PRESS RELEASE*
The New Media Directorate of Imo State chapter Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has flagged off its 2018 New Media Summit with the theme “GOVERNANCE AND POLITICS IN THE AGE OF NEW MEDIA AND BRANDING.
Declaring the Summit open, the Chairman PDP Imo State, Chief Barr Charles Ezekwem commended members of the Directorate for the good job they have been doing for the party since the establishment in 2016.
He said his administration upon assumption of office met a battered, weak and non functional PDP. According to him in his bid to rebrand Imo PDP to a functional and active opposition party, his administration introduced PDP New Media Directorate to help change the old perception and correct the wrong narrative of the old and weak PDP to a strong and rebranded PDP.
He applauded the DG New Media, Mr. Aic Akwarandu for his outstanding performance in office and admonished members of the Directorate to maintain strict and absolute neutrality in the choice of their aspirant till the end of party primaries.
The Okigwe born Imo PDP boss noted that individuals are bound to have internal and personal interest on choice of aspirants to support before primaries but as agents working for the party, all personal interest must be dropped and all efforts positioned to work for the collective interest and unity of the party till the end of the primaries.
He said after the party primaries, candidates that emerged automatically becomes the collective project of all party members in the run down to the general election. Barr Ezekwem also wished members of the Directorate a successful summit session and prayed that the lessons and outcome of the Summit will help members of the Directorate to remain strong, united and formidable till the end of primaries and beyond.
The guest Speaker Comr. Phills Thomas delivered lecture on the first session on the topic ” CONVERTING SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS TO VOTES USING DATA DRIVEN STRATEGIES ”
The lecture of the Second Session was also delivered by another Social Media Expert Comr. Uwakwe Martin Mundus on the topic” CREATING VIRAL CONTENTS ”
The Summit organized to begin with Ward Facilitators, LGA Coordinators and members of the Directorate from Aboh Mbaise, Ngor Okpala, Ahiazu and Ezinihitte Mbaise was well attended by PDP Leaders including the Former Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha who came to felicitate with members of the Directorate with support and words of encouragement.
The Sponsor of the event and the Founder Ezinihitte Restoration Movement, Engr. Kingsley Onwubiko appreciated members of the State Exco Imo PDP for granting his request to sponsor the first edition of the Summit and equally called on other notable party leaders to join hands and partner with the Directorate in the upcoming summit.
The PDP State Publicity Secretary Hon. Damian Oparah also congratulated members of the Directorate for the first successful outing and encouraged other Social Media Users to register and identify with the PDP New Media Directorate.
Highpoint of the event was the unveiling and issuance of Certificate of Participation to participants by the DG New Media Comr. Aic Akwarandu.
The PDP New Media One day capacity building workshop continues on the 7th May 2018.
