The author’s choice of the title of this 261-page, 26 chapters intellectual work by Senator Frank Chukwuma Ibezim, cannot be described in any better language than ‘apt and timely.’ Reason is not far-fetched; the growing phenomenon of misinformation and fake news has increasingly become a national and global concern.
It is trite therefore, to conclude that the book: ” MISINFORMATION AND LEADERSHIP – A Frank Odyssey,” is comparable to an event whose time has actually come. The title is germane not just to prevailing circumstances as it concerns topical issues as misinformation and fake news, but also because of relevance to contemporary trends. The issue of relevance is crucial and co-relates to the work’s potential to comnand readership.
It is also in sync with national discuss – the ongoing efforts to combat misinformation and fake news.
The author exhibits some literary skills in the choice of the title. The ‘Frank’ in the author’s name ( Frank Ibezim), coincides with “…A Frank Odyssey” in the book’s title (Misinformation and Leadership – A Frank Odyssey).
The front cover design has a dominantly green and white background reflecting national values aside creating aesthetics.
There are logos of a number of national agencies and commissions suggestively depicting the book’s wide endorsements and acceptability. The back cover encapsulates the author’s vision in what he called, “The Transformative Journey” to curb “misinformation and misinformation spreading like wild.” The author is an experienced public servant given his trajectory as a former federal lawmaker, and one time secretary to the Government of Imo State. He agrees that misinformation and disinformation rob off on performance of people in leadership, prompting him to make a case for a “strong and ethical leadership” as a way out for leaders.
The preliminary pages of the book indicate the publisher of the book –Frank Ibezim Foundation, Abuja, with the necessary International Serial Standard Book, ISBN 978-978-62059-4-6, as well as other necessary information.
The author dedicated the work to God, family and credible leadership, thus depicting his religious inclination, family values and experience in politics and leadership.
The aspects of *Prologue* and *Justification,* revolve around same issue of misinformation and leadership, which overview has already got a mention earlier in this review.
In the opening chapter of the book, the author reiterates the threat posed by growing phenomenon of misinformation to those in leadership, succinctly defining ‘misinformation’ with brevity and clarity as: information intended to mislead people or the public.
In his effort to introduce the book, the author reiterates the threat posed by growing spate of misinformation to those in leadership. He identified the increasing digitalization trend across the globe as well as the prevalence of social media as factors.
As has been pointed earlier, the author who hails from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, has been in various leadership positions; has been involved in political campaigns for electoral contest including running for and winning Imo North senatorial contest. So, must have been inspired by first hand.experience in leadership. It is deducible from the authors language, that the book sets out to inspire truth, transparency and ethical behavior for those in leadership positions. It also exposes the tremendous negative impact misinformation and disinformation do have on leadership as well as encourages leaders to stand strong in the face of orchestrated misinformation and/or fake news.
The opening chapter and the proceeding chapter 2, give a insight into the origin of misinformation.
The book identifies different motivations for indulgence in acts of misinformation as politics, elections, tribalism, religion, foreign affairs, among others.
The author cited particular instance when according to him, “I was falsely accused of negotiating to bring “repentant terrorists” into my community from northern Nigeria.”
In the same two chapters, strategies for effective management of false accusations or misinformation on the the part of leaders, are detailed out and further re-emphasised in chapters six, seven and eight of work. Of note is the need for leaders to build trust, maintain synergy with the media, uphold transparency, strengthen institutions and ethical leadership. It is the considered view of the author that upholding truth, remaining focused, transparent, consistent, communicating effectively, building strong institutions, interalia, remain vital to overcoming the negative impact of fake news and disinformation.
Furtherance to that, the use of specific examples such as what the author refered to as rumours and conspiracy theories hauled against the then United State’s president Barrack Obama, or the tagging of Nelson Mandela as a terrorist by the then Apartheid South Africa, throws more light, and further concretises the title of the work.
Perhaps a more interesting aspect of the book is its insight into the wider consequences of misinformation and fake news on society and governance, as well as the lessons they portend for leaders.
The author highlights the role of education and relevant government agencies in combating misinformation and fake news. He relives his own personal experience being in leadership — first, a false accusation of certificate forgery hauled against him while running for elective office. Second, another occasion when a humanitarian move by the National Commission for Refugees (NCFR) was misconstrued as an attempt by the author to relocate Boko Haram to his community.
In chapters 15-20, the book delves into the role of relevant institutions, government agencies and offices in combating misinformation and fake news, as well as the how misinformation and fake news impact such institutions like the Nigeria Police, the military, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC,, Federal Ministry of Information, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, and the National Assembly. An instance when the National Assembly members were accused of collecting huge amounts as entitlements comes in handy.
It is the view of the author that misinformation and fake news erode public trust and confidence in these institutions especially, the police and the military,, which in turn affect their operations, national security, peace and stability, and overall government policy.
While emphasing the place of the media in the fight against misinformation and fake news, the author stressed the need to teach *ethical journalism* in schools, focusing on the principles of fairness and accuracy in reportage. The author insists media literacy (on the part of the youth) remains sine qua non to changing the present narrative.
The book goes further to provide an overview into the impact of misinformation on the leadership of religious groups and traditional institutions. The author believes that misinformation negatively robs off on public trust and confidence in these vital institutions; to a reasonable extent, impacting adversely on peace, and inter-religious and inter-ethnic harmony.
As a way out, the author suggested *ethical content creation* among those, mostly youths, involved in digital media.
The book insists on holding those engaged in misinformation by way of unethical content creation, to account for their actions and misdeeds.
Given that misinformation weighs in, albeit adversely on national security, the role of Nigeria’s secret police — the Department of State Security, DSS (Chapter 24) in preventing misinformation as well as exposing culprits leveraging digital media practice for unethical purposes or spreading fake news.
The concluding chapters of the book dwell more or less on preparing future leaders to confront the challenges posed by misinformation, and righting the wrongs emanating therefrom.
Overall, the book is another milestone in the efforts to stem the tide of misinformation and fake news because of the consequences on leadership, peace, stability, economy and national image and national security.
Policy makers, academics and those in political, religious and traditional leadership and rulership will find it a useful guide and companion.
Since most cases of misinformation emanate from activities of government and those in leadership positions, it is recommended that the author carries out more work digging further into government policies with potentials to spark misinformation and fake news. For instance, INEC as an important institution of democracy and the umpire that conducts Nigeria’s elections, ought to have gotten a mention in a work on misinformation like this.
Again, since the author did not focus much on legal issues sorrounding misinformation and fake news including freedom of speech and the press, freedom of information, cyber bullying, cyber stalking, hate speech, incitement, criminal defamation, among others, it is also expected that more books will be written to address these contentious areas.
