Tag: Cyber Politics

  • “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.”

  • Premium Times Books Hosts Public Presentation of Cyber Politics Book in Abuja

    Premium Times Books Hosts Public Presentation of Cyber Politics Book in Abuja

    Premium Times Books, the publishing arm of the Premium Times Group, is set to host the highly anticipated public presentation of the book “Cyber Politics” written by Omoniyi Ibietan, PhD, Head of Media Relations Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The event is scheduled for today, Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 10:00 AM, and will take place at the NCC’s Communications & Digital Economy Complex in Mbora District, Abuja.

    With the support of dignitaries from both public and private sectors, the book’s official unveiling promises to be an engaging and insightful occasion. “Cyber Politics” delves into the intricate world of the digital landscape and its impact on political discourse and governance. Authored by Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, a seasoned expert in media relations, the book is expected to shed light on the dynamics of cyber politics and its growing influence in modern society.

    In a statement released today, Premium Times Books expressed its profound gratitude to all media colleagues for their continued support and coverage throughout the book’s journey. The organization extended a heartfelt invitation to media outlets, requesting their attendance at the event to provide media coverage and share insights from the presentation.

    “We COUNT on your goodwill to support us with your attendance at the event for media coverage,” the statement read. “Your presence will be instrumental in helping us share the valuable insights presented in ‘Cyber Politics’ with a wider audience.”

    The public presentation holds significant importance for the author, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, who has devoted years of research and expertise to the subject matter. His work aims to bridge the knowledge gap surrounding cyber politics and how it affects political landscapes worldwide.

    Members of the media based in Abuja are especially encouraged to attend, as they play a pivotal role in conveying the event’s key highlights and messages to the public. Journalists and reporters are invited to gather at the NCC’s Communications & Digital Economy Complex to witness this milestone in the world of academia and media relations.

    About Premium Times Books:
    Premium Times Books is the esteemed publishing arm of the Premium Times Group, known for delivering high-quality journalistic content across various sectors. The organization is committed to promoting insightful literature that informs and inspires readers from diverse backgrounds.

  • Akpabio, Abbas, Nweke, to grace public presentation of Ibietan’s book on Cyber Politics

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

     The Senate, President, Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; a former Minister of Information and Communication, Frank Nweke Jr. Tuesday will on July 25 join other dignitaries at the public presentation of Omoniyi Ibietan’s book on Cyber Politics.

    Omoniyi Ibietan is the head of media relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    Senate President God’swill Akpabio and Mr. Abass both  special guests of honour will attend the event which will hold at the main auditorium of the Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora District.

    According to Premium Times publishers of Cyber Politics , in a preview of the book noted that it is adjudged to have an interesting universe that uses the Nigerian election to determine how social media communication influences a cocktail of “five electoral totems: voting behavior, the social and demographic correlation, comparative social media network regarding the effectiveness of influences, motivation of social media influencers, and stimulus-response likely to enhance the quality of electoral democracy.

    The book, “Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behavior in Nigeria”, has been described as a classic offering with significant implications for political communication scholarship and practice, Premium Times stated.

    Meanwhile, Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, will officially do the Book presentation.

    While Editor-in- Chief of Leadership Newspaper, Azubuike Ishiekwene will review the 460-page book, spread over 12 chapters.

     The event will also feature a panel discussion to dissect the interface of politics and social technology, how they shaped the last two general elections in Nigeria, and the possible implications of cyber politics in future elections.

     Mr. Frank Nweke, the Enugu State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the last elections, will chair the event. The book’s author was Mr Nweke’s special assistant on media during his ministerial term.

      Other dignitaries expected at the event are the immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (rtd); the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; the founder of Agora Policy Think Tank and former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Waziri Adio; the Executive Director, Center for Democracy and Development, Idayat Hassan; the Chief Executive Officer, Premium Times Group, Dapo Olorunyomi; the Deputy Dean, School of Postgraduate School, Baze University, Prof Abiodun Adeniyi; and the Executive Director, CARE International, Dr Hussaini Abdu.

  • Panellists to discuss digital culture, democracy at unveiling of book on Cyber Politics

    A panel is set to discuss the implications of digital culture for democracy during the public presentation of a book by the Head of Media Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Omoniyi Ibietan, on Tuesday, 25 July 2023, the publishers of the book have said.

    The panel discussion will follow the review of Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria, by Azubuike Ishiekwene, the editor-in-chief of Abuja-based Leadership Newspapers.

    Discussions during the session will dwell on ‘The Cyber Context of Political Communication and its Implications for Democracy in Africa’.

    Listed as panellists are Mr Ibietan, Majeed Dahiru, writer, public affairs analyst and CEO of Orascom Properties; and Abiodun Adeniyi, a professor of Mass Communication and deputy dean, Postgraduate School, Baze University, Abuja.

    Chido Onumah, social entrepreneur, journalist, writer, author and Coordinator, African Centre for Information and Media Literacy (AFRIMIL), will moderate the discussion.

    The panel will focus on how cyber politics played out and shaped the last two general elections in Nigeria. The possible implications of cyber politics in future elections will also be x-rayed.

    Published by Premium Times Books, the book publishing arm of the Premium Times Group, the 460-page book, spread over 12 chapters, interrogated a critical phase in Nigeria’s democracy through its elections.

    In this new title that has been widely praised, Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election is used as the sounding board from which analyses that offer great insights into the future of voting behaviour in the country were made.

    The study that culminated in the book has been described as both skilful in its rendition and ground-cutting in its intellectual approach.

    At the planned Tuesday event, the book will be formally unveiled by Umar Danbatta, a professor, and executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where Mr Ibietan works. Danbatta is also the writer of the foreword to the book.

    Among prominent personalities who have commented on the book and the author is Mr Danbatta.

    In a foreword he wrote for Cyber Politics, the NCC CEO praised the book for situating the historical context of Nigerian politics and democracy and for exploring the nexus between social media and voting behaviour, and the influence of the social media ecosystem and other variables in the electoral process.

    He described Cyber Politics 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,” the NCC boss added.

    Cyber Politics has been available in hardback and paperback versions in bookstores across the country since 12 June 2023. The electronic copies of the book can also be purchased on online platforms, including Amazon.

    Prominent Nigerians and stakeholders within the Nigerian politics cycle and cyber/digital ecosystem are billed to be at the public presentation of the book.

  • Akpabio, Abbas, Nweke, for public presentation of Omoniyi Ibietan’s book on Cyber Politics

    Akpabio, Abbas, Nweke, for public presentation of Omoniyi Ibietan’s book on Cyber Politics

    The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; a former Minister of Information and Communication, Frank Nweke Jr., are among the dignitaries expected at the Tuesday, July 25 public presentation of a book written by Omoniyi Ibietan, the head of media relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    While Mr Akpabio will serve as the special guest of honour at the event scheduled for the main auditorium of the Communications and Digital Economy Complex, Mbora District, Abuja, Mr Abbas will attend the ceremony as the guest of honour.

    Mr Nweke, the Enugu State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the last elections, will chair the event. The book’s author was Mr Nweke’s special assistant on media during his ministerial term.

    Among several other dignitaries expected at the event are the immediate past Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (rtd); the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman; the founder of Agora Policy Think Tank and former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Waziri Adio; the Executive Director, Centre for Democracy and Development, Idayat Hassan; the Chief Executive Officer, Premium Times Group, Dapo Olorunyomi; the Deputy Dean, School of Postgraduate School, Baze University, Prof Abiodun Adeniyi; and the Executive Director, CARE International, Dr Hussaini Abdu.

    Published by Premium Times Books, the publishing arm of the Premium Times Group, the book, “Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria”, has been described as a classic offering with significant implications for political communication scholarship and practice.

    The book has been adjudged to have an interesting universe that uses the Nigerian election to determine how social media communication influences a cocktail of “five electoral totems: voting behaviour, the social and demographic correlation, comparative social media network with respect to the effectiveness of influences, motivation of social media influencers, and stimulus-response likely to enhance the quality of electoral democracy.”

    Umar Danbatta, a professor and executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, where the author works, will present the book to the public. Azubuike Ishiekwene, renowned journalist, writer and editor-in-chief of Leadership Newspaper, will review the 460-page book, spread over 12 chapters.

    The event will also feature a panel discussion to dissect the interface of politics and social technology, how they shaped the last two general elections in Nigeria, and the possible implications of cyber politics in future elections.

    The book has been available in hardback and softback versions in bookstores across the country since 12 June 2023. The electronic copies of the book can also be purchased on online platforms, including Amazon.

  • Premium Times to launch Ibietan’s book on Cyber Politics

    Premium Times to launch Ibietan’s book on Cyber Politics

    By Joyce Remi-Babayeju

     Come 25 July , 2023, Premium Times Publication will launch Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan’s book on Cyber Politics in Abuja.

    Cyber Politics is an intellectual work written by Dr. Omoniyi, the Head of Media Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC.

     In a statement issued by Premium Times Book, publishers of Cyber Politics, on Monday said that the unveiling ceremony of Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria, will take place at the main auditorium of the communications and digital economy complex of the NCC, located at Mbora District of Abuja, from 10:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. on 25 July.

     According to Premium Times Books, the book publishing arm of the Premium Times Group, the 460-page book, spread over 12 chapters, gives expression to a critical phase within the distinct trajectory of Nigerian democracy through its elections.

     Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election is utilised as the sounding board from which analyses that offer great insights into the future of voting behaviour in the country are made in this new title, that is both skilful in its rendition and also a cutting- edge intellectual approach to Nigerian democratic system.

    The Executive Vice Chaiman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta , the writer of the forward of the book will formerly present the book to the public.
     
    Aside from the formal presentation of the book, there will also be a panel discussion to be moderated by Chido Onumah, a social rights activist and coordinator of the African Centre for Information and Media Literacy.

     The author of the book, Dr Ibietan: Abiodun Adeniyi, is a Professor of Mass Communication and Deputy Dean, School of Post Graduate Studies at Baze University, Abuja; and a writer and newspaper columnist, Mojeed Dahiru, will take part in the panel session.

     The panel session will focus on how politics played out and shaped the last two general elections in Nigeria. The possible implications of cyber politics in future elections will also be sprayed.

     Among other prominent personalities who have commented on the book and the author is Prof. Danbatta. 

     The NCC CEO, in his foreword to the book, noted 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.”

     He 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.”

     
    The book is available in the hard back and soft back versions in bookstores across the country since 12 June, 2023. The electronic copies of the book can also be purchased on online platforms, including Amazon.

     Prominent Nigerians and stakeholders within the Nigerian politics cycle and cyber/digital ecosystem will grace the public presentation of the book.

  • PREMIUM TIMES Books Unveils New Title on Cyber Politics, Nigerian Elections

    PREMIUM TIMES Books Unveils New Title on Cyber Politics, Nigerian Elections

    Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, June 12, 2023 — Premium Times Books, the book publishing arm of the Premium Times Group, is pleased to announce the release of a new title, Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria.

    The book, written by Omoniyi P. Ibietan, is officially making its way to physical and online bookshop Monday morning in a unique alignment with the symbolic rituals of June 12, Nigeria’s Democracy Day.

    In 460 pages spread over 12 chapters, Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria gives expression to a critical phase within the distinct trajectory of Nigerian democracy through its elections.

    Like June 12, which created a watershed in the country as Nigerians sought to rupture the yoke of military rule through the ballot, this book by Omoniyi P. Ibietan engages with another national watershed moment, as the nascent digital culture involving Internet use, and particularly the social media, converges with the articulation of voter choice, ultimately impacting Nigeria’s electoral fortunes in the process.

    Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election is utilised as the sounding board from which analyses that offer great insights into the future of voting behaviour in the country are made in this new title, that is both skilful in its rendition and ground-cutting in its intellectual approach.

    In an Introduction he wrote for the book, Dapo Olorunyomi, the Chief Executive Officer of the Premium Times Group, said “The universe of this new book is intriguing in its exploration of the “digital effect on elections.”

    He also pointed out how Mr 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.”

    He further observed that, “In the context of the Nigerian market framework, we also get to appreciate, through his lenses, the comparative appeal of each of the social channels. WhatsApp is the battle axe, while Twitter, hysterical though it is, remains limited.” Also, “Ibietan demonstrates how Facebook appeals to age and its abstract commitment to attention and community makes its credentials for advancing democracy a suspect.”

    Equally, in his Foreword to the book, Umar Danbatta, a professor and executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, noted 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.”

    Importantly, as Professor Danbatta put it: “The book is 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.”

    For a prominent commentator, who is also a former Minister of Information and Communication in Nigeria, Frank Nweke II, “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 thus commends “Dr Ibietan for this remarkable work, and…recommend(s) this book for practitioners and academics in the fields of strategic communications, new technologies, and social change.”

    The author of this new book, Omoniyi P. Ibietan, holds a doctorate in Political Communication from North-West University in South Africa, and earlier degrees in Communication Arts from the Universities of Uyo and Ibadan.

    With a career spanning journalism, stints in the civil society and academia, he is presently a directorate cadre staff in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), where he heads the media relations management unit.

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

    Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria is available as physical copies both in the hard back and soft back versions in bookstores across the country from today, 12 June.

    The electronic copies of the book can also be purchased on online platforms, including Amazon.