Tweeps is a conjunction of Twitter and Peeps resulting into
‘tweeps,’ which is commonly used to refer to the Twitter flowers of someone or
Tweet enthusiasts.
ITRealms Online gathered that proponents of nationwide
protest against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Nigerian president on
January 1, 2012, including the famous Enough-is-Enough Nigeria (EiENigeria),
OccupyNigeria and Save Nigeria Group among others.
The coordinating civil society groups enjoined protesters to
ensure they use technology to plan but note that agents of the State are
monitoring conversations.
“Treat sensitive information with caution,” the group told
Tweet followers.
They further advised Tweeps who are using Short Messaging
Service (SMS) to first connect their account to their mobile numbers, saying
that subscribers on Airtel or MTN could send START to 40404, while those on Glo
could send START to 20644 to connect.
They equally said that Tweeps using this module would be
required to complete a one-time login with your username (twitter handle) and
password, explaining that “No downloads” is needed, although each SMS will cost
you N10.
According to the proponents, SMS allows 160 characters,
compared to Twitter is 140, hence, they advised protesters to keep their tweets
below 140 characters so that it will be delivered.
“Please use popular hash tags, for instance the #FuelSubsidy
or #OccupyNigeria in your tweets so that any emergency requests could be picked
up for action,” the group advised.
In addition, the group cautioned those who may be using a
public computer to send sensitive information, clear the cache so no one could
gain access to information.
For most browsers, experts in the group counseled that if
you press “Shift+Ctrl” then “Delete”, you will get the “Clear Browsing Data”
option. Clear as required, adding that protesters could keep sensitive
information a bit more secured by making sure they only send such to people
they know and trust, otherwise, they should use Direct Messaging.
ITRealms Online also gathered that the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) has promised to be on standby to assist with legal issues
during the strike, even as they warned Nigerians to stay nonviolent and report
every suspicion to protest coordinators.
Meanwhile, current tension in the land over the removal of
fuel subsidy has forced new media enthusiasts in the country to carry their
grievances to the internet by relying on social media networks to share
grievances and strategies for the total strike.
While some use Facebook, others chose Twitter, YouTube and
Yfrog to name a few of the social media networks on the Internet to distribute
information.
This came as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),
the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have variously denied rumours making a
round that services, especially on the Blackberry offering would be cut off to
avert impending revolt by Nigerians using mobile technology devices in
communicating during the strike.
Even as NBC said every station has the right to cover
protest, but must ensure that the interest of the nation takes prime position.
ITRealms Online investigations at the weekend revealed that
since the proclamation of the removal of fuel subsidy on Sunday, January 1,
2012 by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration, Nigerians have taken
solace on the Internet to share information especially their hardship following
the removal.
Whereas some Nigerians have asked the Jonathan government to
cut government waste rather than removing fuel subsidy as his New Year gift to
Nigerians, others insisted that charity must start at home with the Presidency
cutting on the cost of governance at the Aso Villa.
A public statement made available to ITRealms Online by some
civil society organisations, government, they said should make petrol
affordable, maintaining that it’s the only thing government do as it does not
provide water, electricity, good roads, good health care facilities or good
educational opportunities.
The civil society group also said that the removal has
forced an increment which has doubled across the country including the cost of
transportation, food, health care, and cost of running businesses in addition
to the cost of generating electricity through the generating sets, whereas most
salaries is now worth at least 35 per cent less as goods and services have
tippled on average.
According to the group, although the minimum wage remain
N18,000, the government at all levels have not implemented this wholesomely,
contending that the government could save money by cutting waste and tackling
corruption, most of which exist in the public service.
They noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC) is currently prosecuting former Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr.
Dimeji Bankole, former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, his
counterpart from Oyo State, ex-police offer, Adebayo Alao-Akala among others
for over N200 billion.
Equally, they argued that the government disburses N250
billion per year as ‘security votes’ to the President and Governors, which they
could spend at will.
The 2012 budget, they pointed out has allocated approximated
N1 billion to purported ‘feeding’ for the president and the vice president,
while the same budget allocated N1.7 trillion wage bill and N675 million to
generate power in the Aso Villa and VP’s residence respectively.
They, therefore, urged Nigerians to join the protests in
their cities, send a Short Messaging Service (SMS) to share their opinion on
0816666222 and 08120006622 as well as send an electronic mail to
info@eienigeria.org.
Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D
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