Nigerian site, Yookos, targets 20 million users by year end
An Africa-focused social networking site, Yookos, developed in Nigeria with current six million active users is targeting 20 million active users by the end of the current financial year.Launched last week in Lagos, the Chief Executive, Mr. Tomisin Fashina told newsmen that the site, www.yookos.com was already becoming the taost of many Nigerians including students who appear to be major patrons of social media.
While expressed confidence that the site was growing rapidly, he said with optimsim that 20 millions users was realizable as the site has continued to add content, functionality and additional languages.
He informed that social media penetration remained low in many African countries because it lacked local relevance.
He assured that Yookos had a vital role to play in breaking digital barriers, making the continent social media savvy and providing social relevance in a networked environment.
“We believe in the continent and are investing in its future. For us, Africa’s challenges are its opportunities. Our emphasis is on social development. Our biggest challenge in the continent is illiteracy, and we’ll be looking to find ways to be part of the solution.
“We care about Africa and uplifting the people, whether that’s through giving students access to educational materials or putting families in contact with their loved ones on the other side of the world.”, he explained.
Fashina said the home-grown social networking site was ready to grab the hearts and minds of Africans and the Africans in Diaspora by offering a values-based platform that talked directly to African issues.
“Our early experience suggests there’s a huge need for a quintessentially African social network that helps Africans interact, socialise, share information and access entertainment that is relevant to them, whether they’re in London, New York or a remote village in Nigeria.” he said.
Thowing lightn on the background of the site, he informed that the product born as an online platform for Christ Embassy head, Pastor Chris, to share prayer points with his followers, however, it was enlarged when the promoters realised the potential of the platform. Invariably, Christ Embassy is one user on the burgeoning site, with Yookos forging its own identity across the continent, according to him.
“We’re proud of our roots, but Yookos is a social network designed to reach out to all Africans, regardless of religion, politics, gender or where one is. This is a meeting place for all Africans to come and be educated, entertained, and interact. More than 40 other churches and community organisations are already using Yookos as a platform to reach their communities, and we’re hoping to grow that significantly.”, he added.
