META-JOURNALISTIC INSIGHTS INTO FACEBOOK USERS’ SENTIMENTS ON THE FIRST NIGER BRIDGE AMID SECOND NIGER BRIDGE DEVELOPMENTS

Abstract

This work explored Facebook users’ sentiments regarding the First and Second Niger Bridges using symbolic interactionism theory. The work adopted qualitative design, using content analysis, through the non-probabilistic convenient sampling technique sampled 56 Facebook users who responded to Azuka post between December 24, 2024 7:40pm and December 26, 2024, 4;34pm. Subjecting their responses to thematic analysis while forestalling data saturation, the study found amongst other things that Facebook users have cultural and sentimental attachments to the first Niger Bridge, that the same audience has ambivalent disposition towards the second Niger bridge and that digital media affect peoples’ perception about both bridges. The work recommended that digital communication experts should promote social media campaigns to highlight the cultural and emotional significance of the Second Niger Bridge, similar to the First Niger Bridge, national and local authorities and organizations should run public awareness campaigns on social media that emphasize the bridge's role in regional development and cultural unity and that patriotic citizens should facilitate and actively participate in online discussions, encouraging user-generated content to promote positive perceptions of both bridges. The study concluded that true patriotism reaches its zenith when citizens take ownership of what the state provides, recognizing it as something worthy of effective preservation and responsible utilization.