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The Court Twitter Naija Vs Miss Yetunde Gold

On the evening of May 1st, 2023, Miss Olasimbo Yetunde, also known as Yeside Gold, kicked off a chain of events by announcing her upcoming speech at the UN Leadership Summit in Geneva on both Twitter and Instagram. Along with a video of her speaking, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

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Although Miss Olasimbo Yetunde received congratulatory messages on Instagram, her announcement didn't sit well with some Nigerians on Twitter, leading to a two-day trending debate about the veracity of her claim to speak at the UN Leadership Summit in Geneva. Twitter users were divided into two camps, with one side pointing to the video she posted and their knowledge of UN procedures to argue that she spoke in an empty hall, while the other side saw it as cyberbullying against a young aspiring Nigerian woman.

We are here to explore two questions: What is causing the Twitter uproar over this issue? And, what does this say about the current state of distrust in our society?

First, we have to start from the root of the issue.

What is the United Leadership Summit?

The United Nations Leadership Summit for Human Rights and Democracy is an annual event that brings together global leaders, civil society organisations, and human rights activists to discuss and address issues related to human rights and democracy. The summit provides a platform for high-level dialogue, networking, and collaboration, and includes high-level plenary sessions where leaders and experts share their insights and experiences. The summit has helped to promote human rights and democracy worldwide, raise awareness about key issues, identify best practices, and strengthen partnerships between different stakeholders. It provides human rights heroes, activists, and former political prisoners with a unique platform to testify about their struggles for democracy and freedom, while building an international community to take on dictatorships.

How can a person become a speaker at the United Leadership Summit?

The selection process for speakers at the UN Leadership Summit for Human Rights and Democracy is rigorous and considers factors such as expertise relevance, diversity, representation, geographic balance, reputation, and credibility. Potential speakers are identified based on their proven track record of expertise and leadership in the field of human rights and democracy. The organisers may directly invite potential speakers or consider proposals submitted by individuals. The aim is to assemble a group of speakers who can provide valuable insights and help advance the goals of the summit.

How can a person attend the United Leadership Summit?

Attending the United Nations Leadership Summit for Human Rights and Democracy requires an invitation from the organisers of the event. Typically, invitations are extended to government officials, representatives of civil society organisations, experts, and other stakeholders who have a demonstrated interest and expertise in the field of human rights and democracy.

By Invitation: The United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) is the organization that usually organises the United Nations Leadership Summit for Human Rights and Democracy. People who are interested in attending the summit can contact UNDEF to request an invitation. It is possible to attend the summit as a volunteer, but the selection process is competitive and may have specific requirements and qualifications.

By Volunteering: Volunteering at the summit can be a great way to gain experience, network with other individuals interested in human rights and democracy, and contribute to the success of the event. However, it may not necessarily provide access to all of the sessions and events at the summit, as priority is typically given to invited speakers and guests.

Why and how did Miss Yetunde attend the conference?

Miss Olasimbo Yetunde is an aspiring young entrepreneur and politician who recently completed a UNITAR-designed training program called Climate Change Negotiations. She shared news of this achievement on her Instagram page. The training is part of a larger global program by UNDP-UNEP to enhance the capacity of Least Developed Countries from Africa, Asia, and the Pacific to participate effectively in intergovernmental climate change processes. By completing the training, she would have become eligible to receive an invitation to attend the summit.

What is causing the intense debate surrounding Miss Olasimbo Yetunde's claims of speaking at the UN Leadership Summit?

UN speakers and delegates selection process: It is highly unlikely for the UN to have an impromptu speech at the event as they have a highly efficient vetting and preparation process for their speakers and delegates. Additionally, they would not fail to list a speaker on their website.

The video as evidence: It is believed by many that the sound of echoes in the background of the video Miss Olasimbo Yetunde posted of her speaking at the summit, indicates that she was in a large, empty conference hall.

Did she participate in a Q&A session?: Even if Miss Olasimbo Yetunde participated in the Q&A sessions at the event as many suggest, it would still be misleading for her to claim that she "spoke" at the event, as her Twitter posts portray her as an actual speaker.

She is an APC supporter: Many view it as ironic that an APC supporter would speak at an event that stands for human rights and democracy. The recently concluded Nigerian election season was marred by the suppression of citizens' voting rights due to tribalism, violence, intimidation, and incompetence, which were reportedly supported by the APC party. This has given members of the opposing party a way to express their dissatisfaction and anger.

Personal branding and social media posturing have become ubiquitous in our modern age. We live in a world where we are encouraged to present a carefully curated version of ourselves online. We are told that we need to showcase our talents, our achievements, and our personalities to the world to succeed. But what are the real implications of this pressure to present a perfect version of ourselves to the world?

At first glance, personal branding and social media posturing may seem harmless. After all, what's wrong with putting our best foot forward and showcasing our accomplishments?

Social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram have made it easier than ever to create a polished image of ourselves. However, it has also resulted in a culture of deception where people feel compelled to present a distorted version of themselves to keep up with their peers. This has given rise to the phenomenon of "fake it till you make it" where people feel compelled to present an image of success that they have not achieved. This has led to the fabrication of their qualifications, such as education or work experience, to be perceived as credible. This could lead them to overstate their accomplishments or invent false ones, to advance their professional ambitions.

One example of this is the case of Invictus Obi, a Nigerian entrepreneur who was once listed on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list for his supposed accomplishments in the oil and gas industry. It was later revealed that Obi had presented false documents and lied about his background to secure business deals and investment opportunities. This is just one example of how people project a perfect image online and create false narratives and accomplishments to get ahead.

However, the consequences are beyond personal gain. Misrepresenting skills and experience to gain opportunities one is not qualified for can lead to incompetence and negative effects on both the individual and the organisations they work for, potentially resulting in financial loss and even serious consequences such as the failure of a project or loss of life in high-risk industries.

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