Reward for virtual wonder

THE city of Lagos was alive last week, as social media ‘warriors’ from across Africa converged for the maiden edition of the Social Media Award Africa (SMAA). Anchored by Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi of Beat FM and Kelvin Igbodo of Corporate Communications Unit of Sterling Bank, the evening was spiced with musical performances.

   Tagged, A Night of Virtual Wonders, 15 winners emerged from 43 finalists, who made it to the grand finale, representing all the regions of the continent, except Central Africa. The winners include, Ben Kiruthi from Kenya, who won Blogger of the Year, Michael Hlatshwayo of South Africa, who won Media Hero, while Jimi Tewe of Nigeria emerged Twitter Handle of the Year.

   Others are, Barefootlaws of Uganda for Facebook Page of the Year, The True Love of Kenya as Influencer of the Year and Republic of Rwanda Ministry of Youth and ICT, which won Best Use by Government/Public Sector. DHL Africa won Best Use by Private Sector, while Stand to End Rape, Nigeria, won Best Use by Non-Profit. In other categories, Adforumco of Nigeria won the Best Use by Start-up/MSME, KCB Group of Kenya got Best Use by Financial Institution award, Afrinolly of Nigeria won App of the Year and others.

  Winners of the award were rewarded with the one-of-a-kind #SMAA plaque, $1,000 prize money, all-expense-paid trip to Nairobi for training with the Africa Media Initiative (AMI) amongst other opportunities and benefits.

   Meanwhile, one of the finalists, Yassine Ayari, who was conspicuously absent, is currently serving a 1-year sentence for a Facebook post adjudged to be defamatory. The Tunisian blogger and activist emerged The #SMAA Social Media Personality of the Year.

     One of Ayari’s friends contacted the #SMAA Secretariat and Convening team in an email dated December 26, 2014 to formally notify the conveners of Yassine’s inability to attend the awards ceremony due to his trial.

   Ayari was first sentenced to three years imprisonment, albeit in absentia, for criticising the Tunisian Defense Minister, through a Facebook Post. His lawyers appealed the judgment, but the prison term was later reduced to a year by a superior court.

   At the event, which was sponsored by Sterling Bank, the SMAA conveners, Development Diaries Ltd/GTE, condemned the action of Tunisian government, and re-affirmed the right of individuals to free speech, which must not be suppressed or stifled.

   The award is poised to recognise and reward excellence, creativity and impact in the use of social media tools and platforms by individuals and organisations in Africa. This year, 15 awards across four categories recorded over 3,000 entries accounting for about 923 nominations from 26 African countries were received from September 30 to November 28, 2014 when the window closed.

   The guests, many of whom were visiting Nigeria for the first time, were thrilled with performances songstress Yemi Alade; enchanting vocalist Timi Dakolo; Award-winning R&B-turned-Gospel artiste, Obiora Obiwon; South African Best Selling Music Star, Simphiwe Dana; Jazz Star; Kunle Ayo; DVD the Comedian and DJ Jimmy Jatt.