Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations in the Digital Age: Festschrift in Honor of Professor Idorenyin Udoesen Akpan

Joseph S. Rishante, Ph.D. is a Professor of Multimedia and Visual Communication, American University of Nigeria. He is a former Commissioner of Education in Taraba State, and former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration),Taraba State University where he held several other administrative positions such as the Pioneer Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

Peter Esuh, Ph.D. is a Professor of Corporate & Marketing Communications and Applied Rhetoric, University of Uyo. He is the Pioneer Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo. A spirited university administrator and prolific academic, Esuh is equally productive in his community service. He is currently the Chairman, Akwaibom State Land Use and Allocation Committee.

Ritchard T. M’Bayo, Ph.D. (of blessed memory) was a Professor of Communications & Multimedia Studies, American University of Nigeria. He also taught at several universities in Africa and the United States such as the Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone and Bowie State University among others. M’Bayo served as a United Nations consultant in Mass Communications to the government of Sierra Leone.

Ijeoma Jaquelyn Acholonu, Ph.D. is currently a resource person at the International Institute of Journalism Abuja, Port Harcourt service center and a practicing broadcast Journalist with the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation. Acholonu is a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ and NAWOJ, and the African Council for communication Education ACCE. She has published several academic articles in referred journals.

Ibituru Iwowari Pepple, Ph.D. is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Calabar, Cross River State. A fellow of the Chartered Institute of Administration and member, African Council for Communication Education amongst others, he practiced journalism for two and half decades. He is the Coordinator of the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, and has published widely in international journals and other institutional journals. His bias is in broadcasting and ethno-communicology.

Sampson Ibunemi Fiberesima is currently the General Manager of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation and a Doctoral student of Ignatiius Ajuru University of Education.

Reginald Koko is Doctoral student of Ignatiius Ajuru University of Education and member African Council for Communication Education.

Ibanga Isine is one of Africa’s best investigative journalists and has won the CNN MultiChoice African Journalist Award, the Wole Soyinka Nigeria Investigative Journalist Award (twice) and the Rotary International Humanitarian Reporting Award. A former visiting journalism lecturer with the American University of Nigeria, Yola, he holds Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication and Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts; he obtained certificates from the Pan African University, Lagos, (Business and Economic Reporting) and Thompson Foundation, United Kingdom (Advanced Reporting). He has published in local and international journals and currently runs Journalism Retool House, a hands-on job center for investigative journalists in Nigeria. Mr. Isine is currently the Managing Editor of NEXT EDITION newspaper, Lagos, Nigeria.

Emilienne Idorenyin Akpan has a BA in Bilingual Letters (English/French) and a PGD and MA in Mass Communication (Public Relations & Advertising). She is the director of the Writing Center and a full-time faculty of freshman composition and modern languages at the American University of Nigeria (AUN). Before joining AUN, she worked as a Head of School and taught French and Language Arts. Akpan enjoys poetry and engaging in topical issues related to semiotics, multiliteracies in higher education, academic integrity, trauma-based instruction for learners of the English language, oral histories of displaced populations, and the effects of gender-based stereotypes on the youth. She is a gender-based violence specialist, a member of different professional associations, and the founder of the Idorenyin Akpan Foundation.

Olugbenga O. Akanmu, arpa is a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Ibadan, a Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.  He has worked in different areas of the media especially advertising, reporting and editing with the Vanguard newspaper for a decade. His research interests include scientific communication, speech and public speaking, advertising and the new media. He has published widely in academic journals and attended several academic conferences in Nigeria. 

Itieke-Idamieba Harry, Ph.D. is Senior Lecturer and Pioneer Head, Department of Public Relations and Advertising, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt. He holds a Ph.D., MA, BSc and ND in Mass Communication respectively from the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education Port Harcourt, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Rivers State University and the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu. Harry is also a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, braced with LLM and LLB Degrees and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) of the University of Port Harcourt. His academic and professional career is strongly laced with several distinctions, awards and grants. For instance, he won the only academic prize in his Department- the Eze-Ogba, Oba of Igbaland Prize for the best graduating student in mass communication (2004) for which he was offered automatic employment as a result of academic excellence by the Rivers State University. He is also an O.B. Lulu Briggs Legal Scholar having won the prestigious grant at the Nigerian Law School, etc. Harry is widely published and is a member of several professional associations/institutions reflecting his intellectual, professional and academic curiosity. They include the International Communication Association (ICA) Washington DC, African Council For Communication Education (ACCE), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), Association of Mass Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON) and the Institute of Corporate Administration of Nigeria (ICAD).

Dauda Ishaya Suntai, Ph.D. is a Reader of Applied Linguistics and Communication Studies. He is the immediate past Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Taraba State University, Jalingo and one of the founding fathers of the Department of Mass Communication in the University where he has served as Head of Department for two different tenures. His research interests include discourse analysis, rhetoric, pubic speaking and applied linguistics.

Nsikak Idiong, Ph.D. is the Pioneer Head, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, University of Uyo. He holds a Ph.D., M.Sc. and BA in Mass Communication all from the defunct department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo. A spirited writer and rhetorician, Idiong’s research interests focus on political communication, digital journalism and the new media. He is a committed member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE).

Tordue Simon Targema lectures in the department of Mass Communication, Taraba State University Jalingo, Nigeria where he badged a bachelor’s degree. He holds a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication from the Bayero University Kano, Nigeria and is currently a doctoral student in the department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo. A co-author of several articles in pear reviewed journals and thematic books across the globe; Targema has also presented papers at several academic conferences in Nigeria. He is a member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) and the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN). His research interests centers on digital media and civic engagement, media and conflict discourse/management, and film studies.

Rotimi Williams Olatunji, PhD, is a Professor of Public Relations and Advertising, and the immediate past Dean of the School of Communication, Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; MA and Ph.D. in Communication & Language Arts from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His areas of research include advertising, public relations, health communication, political communication and communication research. He is widely published in these areas with several edited books, edited books, journal articles and thematic book chapters to his credit. Professor Olatunji has vast conference participations within and outside Nigeria. He is a Fellow, American Academy of Marketing Science, Member, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Associate Registered Practitioner in Advertising, Member, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria and Member, African Council for Communication Education.   

Manasseh Joseph Umoette is the Public Relations Officer and Head of Protocol, Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State. He holds a BA in Communication Arts from the University of Uyo, a M.Sc. in Mass Communication from the Benue State University, Makurdi and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Mass Communication (with specialization in Public Relations and Marketing Communication) at the University of Uyo. Umoette is a journalist and public relations professional with vast professional experience. Before joining the services of the Federal Polytechnic Ukana, he was the Editor of the Gazette Newspaper, Uyo, and also worked as reporter with the Nigerian Newsday Newspaper, Lafia and The Sensor Newspaper, Uyo among other news platforms. A member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Umoette is a recipient of several awards and honours including State Merit Award (NYSC) Nasarawa State and a Chieftaincy title/Award of Excellence in Community Service by the Traditional Rulers Council, Ikot Ekpene where he is a member of the Paramount Ruler's Advisory Committee. Umoette is a Christian with an abiding faith in God and elder of The Apostolic Church Nigeria. He is happily married and is blessed with lovely kids.

Eme Iniobong Ukpabio is a communication scholar with keen interests in Business and Organizational Communication. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in Communication Arts, Masters of Arts degree in Communication Arts and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Mass Communication (Business and Organizational Communication), all in the department of Communication Arts, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

John Moses Maikomo, Ph.D. teaches in the department of Political Science and International Relations, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Nigeria. He holds a Ph.D. in International Relations from Xiamen University, China, MA Public Relations from the University of Bedfordshire, U.K. and B.Sc. Political Science at the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. His research experience covers traditional and non-traditional security approaches, peace studies and conflict resolution strategies, theories of International Relations, development communications, crisis management and political public relations. He is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), the Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and the International Society for Development & Sustainability (ISDS).

Idi Shadrach lectures in the department of Mass Communication, Taraba State University, Jalingo. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Mass Communication with specializations in Public Relations and Advertising from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, where he is currently pursuing a doctorate degree. His research interests include public relations, advertising, behavior change communication, new media and political communication. He has published several articles within these areas in both local and international journals.

Johnson Chinasa Alegu teaches in the Department of General Studies, Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. He holds a Master of Science Degree in Mass Communication with specialization in Public Relations and Advertising at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria. He has published a number of scholarly articles in both local and international journals. He has also contributed book chapters and a book on Development Communication. His research interests include journalism, public relations, new media, propaganda and development communication. 

Babatunde Stephen Maku holds M.Sc. in Mass Communication and is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Development Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. He is a lecturer in the department of General Studies, Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu, Ebonyi State. He has to his credit among others, a recently published book: “Fundamentals of Development Communication and National Development.”

Steven Anu’ Adesemoye is an experienced Communication Technician. He is a Principal Consultant at PR Plus Consultants, Rebut Consultancy, Watchwhite Consultants and erstwhile Ag. PRO, Lagos State Polytechnic. Steven is a fellow of Knight Centre for International Media Workshop, University of Miami, School of Communication, Florida, and also a fellow of Business Journalism Professors, Donald W. Reynolds National Centre for Business Journalism at Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, USA. He directs the Distance Learning Dramas of Nigeria Urban Health Reproductive Initiative (NUHRI) - a John Hopkins Centre for Communication Programme. Steven is a Senior Lecturer and public commentator with many published research works and books to his credit.

Olayinka Idowu is a Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, School of Communication and Liberal Studies, Lagos State Polytechnic, Ikorodu. She holds a Master of Science degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. Her research interests include speech communication and broadcast journalism. Olayinka Idowu is the current Head of Department, Mass Communication at the Lagos State Polytechnic. She has published books and research works to her credit.

Ramson Acheme is a doctoral student in the department of Theatre Arts and Mass Communication, University of Benin where he barged an M.Sc. in Mass Communication. He holds a Professional Diploma in Public Relations from the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations. He is currently a News Editor at the Oriwu Sun, a notable community newspaper in Western Nigeria. Ramson has presented papers at academic conferences both within Nigeria and abroad, and is a full-time member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE).

Patrick Udende, Ph.D. teaches in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin. He holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), all in Mass Communication at the Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. His research interests include social media studies, public relations and advertising, and political communication. He is a member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), Nigeria Chapter, Association of Media and Communication Researchers of Nigeria (AMCRON) and Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN). Dr. Udende has attended national and international academic conferences, published research articles in both national and international journals and thematic book chapters.

Kaior S. Akpede, Ph.D. is Associate Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences, Nasarawa State University, Keffi. Akpede is also an active member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE).

Rasaq Mohammed Adisa Ph.D. is a Senior Lecturer in the department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. He holds a Ph.D. in Communications at the University Utara Malaysia, MSc. in Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, and B.A. Mass Communication at the Bayero University, Kano. He is a resource person with the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, a Qualitative Research Trainer for Norwegian Research Institute, Nairobi Kenya, and a member of professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), African Council for Communication Education (ACCE), and Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN). His research interest covers news framing, conflict and peace journalism. He has published books on journalism and mass communication as well as numerous journal articles in high-indexed journals.

Maryam Lasisi Mustapha teaches in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin. She holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication at the University of Lagos. Her current research interest focuses on new and social media, media effects and corporate communications.

Aisha Imam Omoloso, Ph.D. is a lecturer at the department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. Her research interests include health communication, audience research and media impact.  She has authored and co-authored research articles in local and international journals. She also has journalism and broadcast production experience as reporter, newscaster, producer and programme anchor with the Kwara Television Service and Taraba Television both in Nigeria.

Ashu Agya is an Assistant Chief Executive Officer in the Information and Protocol Unit of the Federal University Wukari. She holds a B.Sc. in Mass Communication from the Taraba State University, Jalingo. Previously, she worked as a senior reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Jalingo.

Sabiu Idris holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from the Taraba State University, Jalingo. His research interest focuses on online journalism, social media and civic engagement, public relations and digital advertising.