ASABA/Nigeria: The Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has congratulated Professor Desmond Okocha on his emergence as Chairman of the Nigeria Chapter of the International Communication Association (ICA), expressing confidence in his capacity to deepen communication scholarship and institutional growth.
In a goodwill message, Oghenesivbe described Okocha as an accomplished communication scholar whose wealth of experience and global exposure would reposition the association for greater impact within Nigeria and beyond.
Professor Okocha was inaugurated alongside his executive team during the maiden National Conference of ICA Nigeria, held at Nile University, Abuja, from March 24 to 25, 2026. The conference, themed “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” attracted participants, authors, and presenters from ICA chapters across Africa and other parts of the world, both physically and virtually.
Oghenesivbe noted that Okocha’s emergence was well-deserved, citing his track record of academic excellence, international engagements, and longstanding contributions to the development of ICA Nigeria, particularly in collaboration with the immediate past pioneer Chair, Dr. Ekaete George.
He commended Dr. George for her impactful three-year tenure, acknowledging her role in laying a solid foundation for the association’s growth and visibility in Nigeria.
Highlighting Okocha’s credentials, Oghenesivbe pointed out that he is a Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media, as well as the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at Bingham University. He also noted his membership of the Swiss-based International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) and his pioneering role as Chair of the United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN), Abuja Branch.
Describing him as a scholar-practitioner of the Third Wave, the Delta communications boss expressed optimism that his leadership would strengthen research, foster collaboration, and expand the frontiers of communication studies in the country.
Oghenesivbe further lauded the International Communication Association for its global impact, noting that the body, with over 5,000 members across more than 80 countries, has remained at the forefront of advancing communication research since its inception over five decades ago, and its affiliation with the United Nations as a non-governmental organisation since 2003 underscores its global relevance.
He also reflected on the establishment of the ICA Nigeria Chapter on March 24, 2023, at the University of Port Harcourt, describing it as a significant milestone that brought together academia, media institutions, and policymakers to advance communication studies in Nigeria.
According to him, the association’s professional development initiatives are timely, especially in an era defined by rapid technological advancement, where continuous capacity building is essential to keep pace with emerging trends, including artificial intelligence and evolving media landscapes.
Oghenesivbe urged the new leadership to sustain the momentum, deepen intellectual engagement, and leverage innovation to position ICA Nigeria as a leading hub for communication research and practice in Africa.
