Mo Abudu Speaks at Friends of Africa Lagos Social Media Week

LAGOS (February 18, 2014) Executive Chairman and CEO of EbonyLife TV, Africa’s first Global Black Lifestyle and Entertainment Network, Mo Abudu, will be speaking as a panellist at Friends Africa’s session at the 2^nd Lagos Social Media Week tagged “THE POWER OF ADVOCACY: USING SOCIAL/OTHER FORMS OF MEDIA”, scheduled to hold on February 21^st from 10:30 – 11:30am at Four Points by Sheraton, Victoria Island, Lagos.

This worldwide event explores the social, cultural and economic impact of social media and seeks to help people and organizations connect through collaboration, learning and the sharing of ideas and information.

Friends Africa is pan-Africa’s leading health advocacy organization which works to mobilize strategic political and financial support for the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria through advocacy, technical assistance, documentation and capacity building. Its board consists of H.E Madame Jeannette Kagame, First Lady, Rwanda; Madam Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; H.E Gen. Yakubu Gowon and other captains of industry. Through the support and commitment of the board, Friends of Africa has raised over $50 million from African governments to support the fight against major pandemics and have also set the pace and spurred the private sector into action through their Gift from Africa Campaign that has raised over $5million towards Africa’s healthcare.

With recent happenings around the issue of HIV/AIDS, Anti-Gay Right Bills, Rape, Violence against Women and other socio-economic issues, the Friends of Africa session is designed to focus on the important role social media and other media platforms play in advocacy; drawing attention to a development issue.

According to CEO & Founder of Friends of Africa, Dr. Akudo Anyanwu Ikemba, “The session will attempt to highlight the ripple effect of these actions and how platforms such as EbonyLife TV can address these issues. It is expected to inspire change by sharing real life experiences and best practices from actors on the field who have successfully advocated for a cause using programmes and other media platforms to increase attention on the issue.”

In addition, Dr. Ikemba promises, “The session will also look into the role of government agencies, security personnel (the police, army), on air programs / personalities, social media outlets, (bloggers), celebrities and key influencers within society whose platform can be utilised to further advocate and ensure that civil society groups work endeavour that the right results are achieved.”

Mo Abudu will be speaking alongside very high level seasoned speakers to include Mr. Aigboje I. Aig-Imoukhuede; Mr. Emeka Opara, Director Corporate Communications & CSR, Airtel; Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, CEO, Women Arise for Change Initiative; and Mr. Gbenga Sesan, CEO, Paradigm Initiative. Also billed to attend the event are an array of guests to include Chief Executives and Directors of non-profits, human right organizations, on-site and virtual activists, civil society groups, media and outreach officers of non-profits and staff of grassroots NGOs to the General Public.