Maida, university dons hail Ibietan’s book on cyber politics

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida and university dons are among top dignitaries who have commended Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, PhD, Head, Media Relations Management at the NCC on his book, ““Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria,” as the book underwent further reading and reviews at the university of Ibadan on Friday.

In his goodwill message, Dr. Maida said without any doubt, the Internet and its associated technologies and tools, including software applications, have created some of the most radical possibilities in the human experience, particularly in the last decade.

He said the 2008 presidential election in America could be considered as the watershed moment for a new form of voting behaviour, evolving with the widespread usage of platforms like Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, podcasting and mobile messaging in the communication of political interests with citizens.

“Dr. Ibietan’s path-breaking book, Cyber Politics: Social Media, Social Demography, and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria, broaches a radical new territory in bridging psephology (i.e. the study of elections) and communications scholarship through an examination of the interface between social media networks and voting behaviour in the country.

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 “It draws its insights from a deeply methodical study of Nigeria’s 2015 presidential election, unearthing the intersections of social and demographic factors, digital social mediation and the remarkable impact of these variables on the voting behaviour of the electorate.

“Dr. Ibietan’s book speaks to the reality of how the demographics of voting is now in favour of digital natives, whose engagements are set to upend the traditional media approaches, hence the great value in seeking an understanding of the growing interface across cyber politics, social media networks and social demography. Specifically, the author utilises tested theoretical models and research methods to scrutinise the impact of social media on contemporary politics.

In his own remark, Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State and Professor of media and society, Umaru A. Pate said without a doubt, the academic community and communication scholarship require a deeper understanding of the evolving trend, influence, and impact of cyber politics in the country.

Prof Pate who is also the President, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN), congratulated Dr. Ibietan and enjoined interested individuals to get copies of the book for increased understanding of the relationship between social media and politics in Nigeria.

 “While welcoming the book as a positive addition to the growing body of literature in the area especially as it gives the Nigerian context, I am strongly recommending it as a worthy book for all students of communication studies, political science and allied fields.

“Our political tacticians and gladiators and other scholars of the interface between society and information and communication technologies will find the text appropriate and generously useful in helping them to deeply understand the strategies and impact of social media in Nigerian politics.

“Definitely, the author’s effort is clearly manifested in the quality of the content in the book, its appropriate theoretical grounding, and sound conclusions that are reliably valid in the Nigerian context,” he added.

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The Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, Prof. Peter Esuh, in his own submission said the book offers a scholarly exploration of how social media platforms shape electoral behaviour in the intricate Nigerian electoral landscape.

“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.

“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.

Speaking on the author’s character, Prof. Abiodun Salawu, North-West University, South Africa, said Dr. Ibietan was able to do effective academic writing which makes reading his work not tortuous but exhilarating.

Prof. Salawu who incidentally supervised Omoniyi Ibietan’s doctoral thesis in North-West University, South Africa described the author as a dedicated individual with vast knowledge.

“He was so 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 his study. I can say that the study was effectively done within this one year.