The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Saturday unveiled what he described as Nigeria’s first indigenous social media network, 2geda, calling for government and private sector support to make the platform a global success.
Speaking at the official launch held at Ilaji Resort and Hotel, Ibadan, the Ooni urged the federal and state governments, as well as philanthropists and traditional rulers, to rally behind the initiative.
“We must support our youths to make Nigeria great again. They are intelligent, innovative, and they need our support. I appeal to the Federal Government, our state governors, traditional rulers, and philanthropists to support this initiative so it can grow to the level of Facebook, WhatsApp, Snapchat and others,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said 2geda was not just a social platform but one rooted in Nigeria’s culture and digital sovereignty.
“National development cannot thrive without digital sovereignty. The Federal Government is ready to support a strong digital economy platform like 2geda with a collective mission to foster security, cohesion, and a sense of belonging among Nigerians at home and abroad. This platform provides a safe and relevant space for Nigerians to connect, share and build together,” he said.
Tunji-Ojo assured that the Federal Government was committed to supporting innovations that drive youth engagement, technological independence, and national identity.
“As we unveil this platform, let us embrace it, contribute positively to its growth, and shape the digital environment we want for our children and generations to come,” he added.
In her goodwill message, the acting Zonal Director of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Ibadan, Hauwa Ringim, challenged Nigerian youths to embrace creativity and use social media for positive development rather than cybercrime.
“We are not just here to celebrate the launch of 2geda, we are here to reflect on the uses of social media to curb cybercrime in our society. Nigerian youths are creative, talented and innovative. They should be seen as creators of technology that will be accepted globally,” she said.
According to Ringim, social media has become a permanent part of modern life, and the choice before Nigerians is whether to allow it to become a tool for criminals or to take ownership and use it for national growth and protection.
