The executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, on Tuesday, in Abuja eulogies Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, the Head, Media Relations of the NCC.
This took place during the unveiling of a book on Cyber Politics (Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria), written by Dr. Ibietan.
Danbatta commended the author on the laudable achievement saying the most intelligent people on earth are those who take their time to write books, because he Danbatta had engaged in such and knows how difficult it is.
His words: “Omoniyi and I have one thing in common, which is literally work.The most intelligent people are those who sit down to write books”.
According to the NCC boss, social media has come to stay, because most people don’t read books, but rely mostly on internet, adding that it took internet less than a year to reach over 100 million people, and so the world now depends largely on social media. Prof. Danbatta said even though Ibietan is an activist, they have never had any disagreement since 2015 when he took over the leadership of NCC.
“I consider myself very lucky, because I never had any issue with him”, he added.
Frank Nweke Jr, former Minister of Information whom Dr. Ibietan served as Special Adviser on Media, in his remarks at the event noted that the book will be a reference material for contemporary scholars, politicians who desire to understand the intricacies in the recent election campaigns in Nigeria. He asserted that the book has presented empirical foundation for responsible journalism. He further stated that the social media is not a threat but will complement the traditional media which will enable them not only to co-exist but also self re-enforce each other. He however condemned the fake news syndrome agravated with the ascendancy of social media.
The book reviewer, Mr. Azubuike Ishiekwene, Editor-in-chief, Leadership Newspapers, commended the book and the author describing social media as ” the fifth estate of the realm”.The event had panelists including the author Dr. Ibietan, Mr. Mojeed Dahiru and Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi while Dr. Chido Onumah served as the moderator.
The book, which was published by Premium Times Book, was unveiled by the EVC with support from other dignitaries at the occasion including former minister of Information and National Orientation and 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA , for Enugu State, Frank Nweke Jr and others. Dr.Omoniyi Ibietan in his interactions with newsmen stated that his book will serve as a material for future researchers to build on.
Goodwill messages were said by representative of former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo as well as former director, Public Relations of NCC, Tony Ojobo.
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