By TINA TIMOTHY

Two leading communication scholars – one in Nigeria and the other in South Africa – have dissected Dr Omoniyi Ibietan’s book, “Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria”.

The book is the latest by Omoniyi Ibietan, PhD, who is Head, Media Relations Management at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Speaking at the special Book Reading and Further Reviews of the book held at the University of Ibadan on Friday, April 19, 2024 the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, Prof. Peter Esuh, said the book stands out among numerous publications, offers a scholarly exploration of how social media platforms shape electoral behaviour in the intricate Nigerian electoral landscape and is “a significant addition to the ongoing discourse on the influence of technological advancements on societal progress,” amongst others.

“Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan’s book ‘Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography, and Voting Behaviour’ stands out among the numerous publications on strategic communication in contemporary times. It offers a scholarly exploration of how social media platforms shape electoral behaviour in the intricate Nigerian electoral landscape. This book is a significant addition to the ongoing discourse on the influence of technological advancements on societal progress.

“The book proposes the Channel-Factor Model of Communication. This model articulates the key influences and variables that impact effective communication in a political and socio-economic environment. The book clarifies the role of changing population dynamics in the developed and developing world and its implications for social media utilization in bringing about political change. These demographic trends’ impact on society and adopting new and innovative technologies imply broader political, social, and economic imperatives for all nation-states.

“It is well-known that technological innovation redesigns the global geopolitical and socio-economic landscape while enabling unfettered access to information and possibilities in real-time. While the internet and, by extension, communication platforms have provided the foundation for most of these possibilities, it is essential to be conscious of the potential impact of other emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Augmented Reality (AR), Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Big Data, Block Chain and Advanced Analytics on societal trends. Important foundational lessons can be learned from the impact of social media on societal outcomes, as demonstrated by Dr. Ibietan’s book,” Prof. Esuh said.

While wholeheartedly endorsing the book, he further described the author as “a renowned scholar known for his intellectual prowess and activism” whose “work has consistently been commendable.”

“The author, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, is a renowned scholar known for his intellectual prowess and activism. His work has consistently been commendable, and this notable Book of Reading is a testament to his innovative thinking and scholarly contributions. The book is wholeheartedly endorsed for reading,” he added.

On his part, Prof. Abiodun Salawu of North-West University, South Africa, who supervised Omoniyi Ibietan’s doctoral thesis in North-West University, South Africa, said: “I had the privilege of supervising the PhD thesis from which this book by Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan emanated.

“It was a pleasure supervising Omoniyi’s thesis as he was very conversant with the literature of the study. I must say that I learnt from the literature he used.””

Prof. Salawu further described Ibietan as doing effective academic writing which “made reading his work not tortuous but exhilarating,” adding that his dedication and focus made his study effective, paving way for a “wider readership.”

“Another of his strength was that he was able to do effective academic writing. This made reading his work not tortuous but exhilarating.

“He was dedicated to the work that he took a year leave from his place of work to come over to Mahikeng in South Africa to exclusively focus on the study. I can say that the study was effectively done within this one year.

“With the thesis turned into a book, I believe the ideas, findings and recommendations contained therein are now made available to a wider readership,” he added.

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