Business Culture Economy

“Cyber Politics”: Danbatta Hails Ibietan’s Hard Work, Literary Prowess, Activism

 

 

 

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has commended the author of the book on ‘Cyber Politics’, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, for its uncommon industry, literary efforts, and activism in trying to make the society better through shared knowledge.

 

The public presentation of the book: “Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria”, was made by Danbatta in Abuja recently where government officials, journalists, friends, and accomplished professionals converged on Abuja for the event.

 

Ibietan is the Head, Media Relations Management at NCC and Danbatta, had done him the honour of not only writing the foreword to the book but also playing the role of the presenter of the book to the members of the public.

 

Danbatta stated, “I’m fascinated by Ibietan’s passion to write a book on cyber politics. Combining his official work at NCC together with his passion to produce this book is commendable. I think Dr. Ibietan committed class suicide by joining the services of the NCC instead of being in the classroom.  That is the difference between Dr. Ibietan and I. He joined the Commission to serve while I was beckoned to come and serve the Commission from the classroom,” he said.

 

On the herculean task involved in writing, Danbatta said: “People who sit down and put their thoughts together and commit those thoughts into writing to produce impactful books such as this are some of the most intelligent people in our society. Dr. Ibietan’s literary effort is highly recognized, and we are happy to have such a hard worker in the Commission.”

 

The EVC said that aside from his intellect and excellent public speaking skills, Ibietan is also known as an activist, who strives to make societal conditions better. Prof. Danbatta said that he had had a smooth relationship with Dr. Ibietan over the last eight years of his being at the helm of affairs at NCC.

 

Continuing, the CEO of NCC said that “The different stages that writing a book entail are not easy; it is difficult, from the time you start putting your thoughts together, to coming up with the manuscript. That is why his efforts in writing this book should be seen as laudable, as I have heard there are more books coming after this one and we look forward to that.”

 

“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure, to present this book, on behalf of the Management and Staff of the NCC and Premium Times Books (the publisher), to members of the public and I encourage you all to buy and read this book and I am sure you will not regret the time you spend on this literary effort,” Danbatta stated.

 

Danbatta, a professor of telecommunications engineering, noted in his foreword to the book that: “the author situates the historical context of Nigerian politics and democracy” and more so…the nexus between social media and voting behaviour, and the influence of the social media ecosystem among others in the electoral process.”

 

The EVC described the book “as a compelling narrative, a scholar’s guide, and companion on the various political communication themes it interprets. It is difficult to put down this work once you are drawn by its alluring and free-flowing prose and incisive analysis.”

 

Published by Premium Times Books, the 460-page literary work reviews Nigeria’s democracy through its elections, particularly the role of social media.

 

But Cyber Politics is not just about the last general election and filial squabbles, said Azubuike Ishiekwene, the editor-in-chief of Leadership Newspapers, who reviewed the book in Abuja.

 

“It’s a deeper phase in the exploratory journey of Omoniyi P. Ibietan whose interest in political communication and its sociology goes back to his early student days.”

 

At the programme, several dignitaries also praised the author for writing the book, which some described as an “exemplary literary work.”

 

In 12 chapters, Cyber Politics examines the themes of cyberculture, social demographics, political communication and voting behaviour.

 

It is also a subject that evokes decades of research, but which nonetheless retains its fascination as scholars continue to explore the fraught question of why voters behave the way they do, especially during elections, Ishiekwene said.

 

The book explores, among other things, the question of whether political conversations among Nigeria’s estimated 33 million active social media users, especially the influencers, had any significant impact on the outcome of the 2015 elections.

 

A former Minister of Information and Communication in Nigeria, Frank Nweke Jr, said the “book represents an uncommon body of work by an intellectual visionary”, and he is of the conviction that the “extrapolation of the lessons and recommendations of this book will find perfect expression in other climes beyond the 2015 Nigerian General Elections scenario.”

 

Nweke, a former boss of the author, who chaired the book presentation, commended “Ibietan for this remarkable work, and recommends this book for practitioners and academics in the fields of strategic communications, new technologies, and social change.”

 

Over the past two decades, Ibietan has researched deeply the emergent interface between communication studies and psephology, which explains his richly nuanced understanding and far sight into the issues involved.

 

This point was also made by Premium Times Editor-In-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, who described Ibietan’s book as “a classic.”

 

“It uses Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election as the sounding board for analyses that offer great insights into the future of voting behaviour in Africa’s largest democracy. Those who have interacted with the title have described it as both skilful in its rendition and ground-cutting in its intellectual approach,” Mojeed said.

 

Mojeed said “At Premium Times Books, we look forward to continuing to publish books that will deepen knowledge about important aspects of our lives. We are interested in getting a number of disappearing classics back to libraries and bookshelves across our country and beyond. If you have any suggestions for us, be kind to get in touch.”

 

In the introduction he wrote for the book, Dapo Olorunyomi, the publisher of Premium Times, said: “The universe of this new book is intriguing” in its exploration of the “digital effect” on elections.

 

He also pointed out how Ibietan’s work demonstrates “clearly that social media systems do enrich electoral democracy by expanding access to registration, participation, voting and organising at a scale we have never contemplated.”

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Agriculture Business Culture Economy

Fountain Drip Nigeria Limited: Transforming Agriculture and Securing Nigeria’s Food Future

post-image

 

 

 

Food security is an essential goal for every nation striving for sustainable development, and Nigeria is no exception. In a time when the global agriculture sector faces numerous challenges, Fountain Drip Nigeria Limited, together with its parent company, Diekolola Farms and Partners, stands as a beacon of hope and progress for Nigerian farmers and the agricultural ecosystem. From its base in Ogun State, the company has become a trusted ally for farmers nationwide, offering innovative solutions that are helping to revolutionize food production and sustain livelihoods.

At the heart of their mission lies a commitment to equipping farmers with the tools and resources they need to thrive. Fountain Drip Nigeria Limited specializes in irrigation system installation, sales of high-quality agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals, as well as providing crop production services and consultancy for farm setup and management. These offerings reflect the company’s unwavering dedication to improving…

Read More
Business Technology Technology Trends Telecoms

NCC Charts a New Path for A2P Messaging in Nigeria with Stakeholder Forum

post-image

 

In a significant move to enhance communication services and boost socio-economic development, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) hosted a virtual stakeholder forum on Friday, December 20, 2024, to deliberate on the draft framework for Application-to-Person (A2P) Messaging Services Licensing. The session provided a collaborative platform for industry players, government representatives, and consumers to discuss the potential and challenges of A2P messaging in Nigeria’s telecommunications landscape.

A2P messaging, widely recognized as a vital communication tool, facilitates one-way notifications from businesses and applications to individuals. From transactional alerts such as bank notifications to promotional campaigns and healthcare reminders, the framework for A2P messaging aims to set the standard for delivering secure, reliable, and timely updates.

Building Bridges Between Stakeholders

Welcoming participants on behalf of the NCC Executive Vice Chairman, the acting Head of Legal & Regulatory Services, Mrs. Chizua Whyte, underscored the importance of the forum. “A2P messaging has become a cornerstone of modern…

Read More
Business

NDPC Partners with Microsoft and DSN on AI and Data Protection Capacity Building

post-image

 

In a significant move to enhance data protection and privacy in Nigeria, the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr. Vincent Olatunji, recently held a virtual meeting with key stakeholders. The session included Microsoft’s Head of Governance Affairs for Nigeria, Nonye Ujam, and the Chief Executive Officer of Data Science Nigeria (DSN), Dr. Olubayo Adekanmbi.

The meeting focused on Microsoft-supported initiatives aimed at capacity building for the NDPC, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data protection best practices, and enabling technologies.

Dr. Olatunji, in his remarks, underscored the importance of human capital development as a catalyst for innovation. He noted that this priority aligns seamlessly with the Commission’s strategic roadmap. “The global data protection and privacy ecosystem is evolving rapidly,” he said, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to equipping its workforce with the skills needed to meet international standards.

The training program, supported by Microsoft, aims to…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Environment Investments Leisure News Opinion Society Tourism Travels Trends

Nigerian Man Transforms Owerri Into a Mini Las Vegas: A Thriving Destination for Luxury and Entertainment

post-image

 

Owerri, the capital city of Imo State, Nigeria, is rapidly earning its spot as a premier destination for leisure and luxury seekers. Thanks to the visionary efforts of a Nigerian entrepreneur based in Japan, the city now boasts a hospitality experience akin to the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas.

This bold transformation has ignited conversations across Nigeria, with many questioning why anyone would spend scarce foreign currency on overseas vacations when Owerri now offers comparable luxury right at home. With its burgeoning array of five-star hotels and world-class amenities, the city is becoming a haven for weekend getaways and extended vacations.

A Boom in Luxury Hospitality

Owerri’s hospitality scene is nothing short of a marvel. Despite calls for investors to diversify into other economic sectors, the city continues to witness an unprecedented rise in hotel construction. This trend is driven by robust demand, as many of the hotels are consistently fully…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Opinion Society Software

Opay Digital Honored by CBN for Pioneering Financial Inclusion in Nigeria

post-image

By Anthony Emeka Nwosu

As Nigeria’s financial landscape evolves with a focus on innovation and inclusivity, one name has continued to resonate within the fintech space—Opay Digital. Recently, this forward-thinking financial technology firm achieved a remarkable milestone, earning the “Financial Inclusion Innovation Award” at the 2nd Annual International Financial Inclusion Conference, organized by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

This prestigious award recognizes Opay Digital’s groundbreaking contributions toward financial inclusion and its commitment to delivering secure, innovative, and user-centric solutions. For many Nigerians, Opay has become synonymous with accessible financial services, bridging gaps where traditional banking systems have struggled.

The company’s excitement over this achievement was palpable. In a statement shared with their customers and stakeholders, Opay Digital expressed deep gratitude, saying, “We are excited to share that OPay has been awarded the ‘Financial Inclusion Innovation Award’ by the Central Bank of Nigeria! This recognition highlights our unwavering dedication to advancing financial…

Read More
Agriculture Announcements Business Culture Economy

Afrimash Urges Poultry Farmers to Embrace Best Practices, Stresses Odor Control

post-image

 

Afrimash Nigeria, an agritech firm based in Ibadan, Oyo State, and known for its commitment to supporting the agricultural sector with top-notch services and products, is shining a spotlight on the importance of odor control in poultry farming. The company, which prides itself on helping farmers achieve sustainable success, is now calling attention to an issue that is often underestimated but critical to the health of farms and their surrounding communities.

Speaking about the matter, the CEO of Afrimash, Ayo, explained that while poultry farming plays an essential role in food production, it sometimes brings challenges, including unpleasant odors. These odors, if not addressed, can have far-reaching consequences. They don’t just create discomfort for nearby residents but also pose risks to the environment and even the birds themselves.

“Odor control in poultry farms is not just a courtesy to neighbors—it’s a necessity for the health of the farm and the environment,”…

Read More
Business Culture

NDPC Partners Ministry of Youth Development to Train 5,000 Youths on Data Protection

post-image

 

In a bid to advance data privacy and protection in Nigeria, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has commenced implementing its Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Youth Development. This initiative aims to train 5,000 youths nationwide on data protection and privacy.

As part of this partnership, the NDPC recently organised a two-day training program tailored for the Ministry’s management staff. The training, led by experts from the Commission, focused on equipping participants with the skills and knowledge required to comply with the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDP Act). The program also sought to foster a culture of privacy and ethical data handling within the Ministry and across its activities.

Held under the theme “Empowering Data Protection Compliance and Security,” the training provided in-depth insights into the ethical handling of personal data and underscored the importance of safeguarding the privacy of young Nigerians. The youth demographic, often regarded as…

Read More
Announcements Business

NITDA Director General, Kashifu Inuwa, Highlights Ethical AI at the 19th Annual Internet Governance Forum in Riyadh

post-image

 

The 19th Annual Internet Governance Forum (IGF) currently underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has proven to be a critical platform for global discussions on the future of internet governance. Among the key figures making impactful contributions is Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, Director General of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

One of the standout moments of Inuwa’s participation was his involvement in a session focused on “Building Ethical AI: Policy Tool for Human-Centric and Responsible AI Governance.” During the session, Inuwa stressed the importance of ethical development in artificial intelligence (AI) and underscored the role of the Digital Cooperation Organisation (DCO) in fostering responsible AI practices.

Inuwa praised the DCO’s Responsible AI Tool, emphasizing its significance as a foundational step toward ensuring AI technologies are developed and deployed in ways that are socially beneficial and aligned with human-centric values.

NITDA’s engagement at the IGF reflects the agency’s dedication to shaping the future…

Read More