Celebrating a fast-rising political communication scholar

By Shola Thomas In the aftermath of the recent End bad governance protest in Nigeria, I had a cause to research on the trending practice of citizen journalism among young Nigerians and the need for media literacy. My first instinct was to rely more on the theories and writings of foreign authors who originated the […]

By Shola Thomas

In the aftermath of the recent End bad governance protest in Nigeria, I had a cause to research on the trending practice of citizen journalism among young Nigerians and the need for media literacy. My first instinct was to rely more on the theories and writings of foreign authors who originated the concept.

On a second thought, I decided to go with the views of Nigerian scholars whose research must have localized and contextualized the challenges of citizen journalism accordingly. I was in this process when I stumbled on the work Ebuka Ifeanyichukwu on this topic. His research gave me an in-depth insight into the concept and practice of citizen journalism and why media literacy is key to maintaining a healthy audience base.

Aloysius Chukwuebuka Ifeanyichukwu is a budding star to watch in the field of political communication. Fondly known as Ebuka, this young Nigerian currently doubles as a Research Assistant and Graduate Student at the University of Delaware, where he studies for a PhD in Political Communication with interest in depolarization, psychology of humor, social movements, and cultural communication. As a scholar, Ebuka has made significant contributions to the field through numerous peer-reviewed publications. His research has been published in esteemed journals such as the Lingual: Journal of Language & Culture, Journal of Communication and Media Research, Madonna Journal of Communication Studies and the Jos Journal of Media and Communication Studies.

Away from his scholarly accomplishments, Ebuka has been a committed contributor to academic conferences worldwide. He has presented papers at renowned gatherings such as the National Communication Association Conference, Eastern Communication Association, the Southern Political Science Association Conference, and Braver Angels Symposium where he has shared knowledge on topics ranging from conspiracy theories to civil discourse. Ebuka’s commitment to communication extends beyond academia. He is currently a research assistant on a John Templeton Foundation grant, exploring the impact of student engagement in campus debates. His teaching and administrative roles at institutions like Madonna University and Legacy University have allowed him to inspire the next generation of communicators. He pioneered the Mass Communication department of Legacy University and pioneered the maiden campus newspaper of the university- Legacy Vibes.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ebuka is a devoted community organizer. His voluntary effort comprises assisting in strategic communication training to combat gender-based violence and end female genital mutilation, demonstrating his commitment to social justice and community empowerment. As Ebuka continues his PhD journey, the communication field eagerly anticipates his future contributions. His fusion of academic rigor, practice, and community service positions him as a rising talent in political communication, poised to impact both scholarly discourse and societal change.