The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has commended the academic pedigree of the Head, Media Relations at NCC, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, especially in churning our books that stand the test of time and resolves issues.
The commendations came during the unveiling of the book authored by Dr. Ibietan: “Cyber Politics (Social Media, Social Demography and Voting Behaviour in Nigeria)”.
Danbatta said: “Omoniyi and I have one thing in common, which is literally work. The most intelligent people are those who sit down to write books.
“Even though Ibietan is an activist, we have never had any disagreement since 2015 when I took over the leadership of NCC.
“I consider myself very lucky, because I never had any issue with him,” Danbatta remarked.
The NCC chief executive stated that social media has come to stay because most people don’t read books, but rely mostly on the internet, which is what Dr. Ibietan latched on by publishing his book both on hardcopy and soft copy.
He added that it took the internet less than a year to reach over 100 million people, stressing the world now depends largely on social media and the impact Ibietan’s book would have.
The event witnessed a panel session made up of academics and professionals across all sectors including the author, Ibietan; public affairs analyst, Mr. Mojeed Dahiru and Mass Communication guru, Prof. Abiodun Adeniyi, while another activist and communications expert, Dr. Chido Onumah moderated the engagement.
The book, published by Premium Times Books, was unveiled by the EVC with support from the dignitaries, including former Minister of Information and National Orientation and 2023 Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), in Enugu State, Mr. Frank Nweke Jr, who was Ibietan’s boss several years ago as well as others.
Goodwill messages were received from the representatives of the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AZ Gambo, as well as former Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo.