Of the numerous social media platforms in Katsina State, ‘Katsina City News’ has distinguished itself as one of the most vibrant and authoritative both in terms of content and membership.
Created on February, 11, 2015 by a Katsina-based Journalist and public commentator, Danjuma Mohammed Katsina to provide a means for informing and educating the residents and locals on happenings around them, the platform has blossom to become a force to reckon with.
The group membership cuts across divergent views of politics, economy, media, religion and harbours all those that mattered in the state from top government officials, the traditional rulers, politicians, academia and of course, the media. There is hardly any section of society that is not represented therein.
The platform which uses Whatsapp and Facebook, always entertains views and counterviews and serves as a social forum for interactions and boosting relationships by carrying out several community responses to assist people in need. Some of the executed projects include assistances to rainstorm victims at Jangebe community, fund-raising for the release of kidnapped victims, assistance to displaced victims from Batsari following recent attacks as well as a draft of special report to enhance security in the state.
The group, last week, held a civic reception for 32 of its members who were either elected or appointed into political offices as well as those that got elevations in their careers. The occasion witnessed lecture presentations on how best the social media can operate in contemporary society where its advantages and challenges were brought to the front burner by personalities present. Those honoured cut across members of the national and state assemblies, members of state executive councils and security officers.
Setting the ball rolling, the Katsina State Chief Judge, Justice Musa Danladi said cohesion among people is guided by the law and must be guided by rules and regulations. He cautioned Muslims must be wary of what they post on social media and its repercussion.
Both Shiekh Labaran Saulawa and Sheikh Aminu Yammawa in their lectures urged the Muslims to use social media with caution as on the Day of Judgment people must be called to account for their deeds without exemptions.
Their lectures centred on writing and postings things that should do no harm to oneself or others in a society.
Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari called for caution in the way and manner people use the social media saying they must be wary of what they post as its repercussion last forever. He said, many took social media as a platform to bring people down at all cost saying that conscription criticism is desirous but spreading falsehood is something different.
He said, it is necessary for people to weigh what they intend to post because doing damage for selfish reasons is uncalled for and can deprived a lot to the state and the country at large.
Some of the recipients and members of the group are the state Deputy Governor Mannir Yakubu, Head of Service, Idris Tune, Senator Bello Mandiya and Sani Danlami, Yau Umar Gwajo Gwajo amongst many.
Responding on behalf of the recipients, the Head of Service thanked the forum for finding them worthy and assured that they will continue to support the group to evolve positive-thinking that can fast-track development in the state.
‘Katsina City News’ initiator, Danjuma said the setting up of the group is for cross-fertilisation of ideas on how best to develop the state noting that suggestion and constructive criticism can advance the frontiers of the state.