As part of activities marking the 2017 edition of Social Media Week Lagos, The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND, will be organizing a panel session with the theme, “Government & the Citizen: Communicating the 21st Century Way in the Niger Delta” on Thursday, March 2nd 2017 from 1:30pm – 2:30pm at the Innovation Stage, Landmark Event Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. Speakers lined up for this session include, Nsima Ekere, MD/CEO, Niger Delta Development Commission, Florence Kayemba, Programs Manager, Stakeholders Democracy Network, Bereni Fiberesima, CEO, Netopps, Chime Asonye, Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on SDGs and Sam Hart, Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Communications.

This session will connect the dots on how citizens communicate with government either in airing grievances, advocating a cause, or advancing democracy. Government Institutions around the world need to adapt to the new mode of communication – through technology.

In the Niger Delta, progress in using technology by state governments to communicate with its citizens is at a slower pace compared to the rest of the country. However, there are shining examples of innovations in technology Niger Delta state governments and government institutions are using to engage their citizens.

During this session speakers and attendees will discuss everything from open budgets; tracking progress on infrastructure projects across the region; supporting inclusive economic growth by encouraging technology hubs and activities; to using appropriate technology in advancing discussions around climate change.

Government and the Citizen: Communicating the 21st Century Way in the Niger Delta will spotlight what is currently working in the tech space across the Niger Delta and open up the discussion  for a variety of perspectives to be aired and championed.

Attending this session will help understand how Niger Delta state governments and regional government institutions are using technology to communicate with citizens as well as learn about key success stories in open budget and tracking innovations that can be replicated across Nigeria. The event will also focus on learning what new technology hubs are doing in the Niger Delta region and brainstorm on ways Niger Delta technology hubs can learn from tech hubs in Lagos and Abuja. There will also be discussions on the challenges of operating in a conflict-prone zone in Nigeria

Individuals interested in good governance, technology, and other issues affecting the Niger Delta as well as potential investors are invited to attend.