Plans have reached advanced stage for the formal launch of the inaugural Annual Diplomacy Day in Nigeria on November 20.
The programme which will hold in Abuja is being organised by the Founder and Chief Executive of the Media Diplomacy Studies, MDS, Dr. Mkpe Abang. He made this known when he meet with the High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Nigeria, Philda Nani Kereng.
The launch of the Annual Diplomacy Day will also feature the national presentation of the new book authored by Dr. Mkpe titled “Weapons Of Mass Manipulation: State Media, Global Influence and the New Diplomacy of Power.”
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Below is the full text of the media statement on the programme:
STATEMENT:
09 October 2026 – ABUJA – NIGERIA
WEAPONS OF MASS MANIPULATION: TOWARDS THE NATIONAL PRESENTATION
Diplomatic Engagement: Strengthening Africa’s Voice in the Global Information Order
Earlier today, I had the distinguished honour of being received by Her Excellency Philda Nani Kereng, High Commissioner of the Republic of Botswana to Nigeria, for an engaging and intellectually enriching diplomatic conversation on Africa’s place in the evolving international information and diplomatic order.
Our discussions centred on the forthcoming National Presentation of my new book, WEAPONS OF MASS MANIPULATION: State Media, Global Influence and the New Diplomacy of Power, and the formal launch of the inaugural Annual Diplomacy Day, scheduled for Friday, 20 November 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, under the auspices of Media Diplomacy Studies (MDS).
I expressed my deep appreciation to Her Excellency for her gracious reception and constructive engagement, particularly her willingness to explore the imperative of strengthening Africa’s voice, credibility and influence within the international system.
Our exchange reinforced a fundamental proposition that Africa must move beyond being predominantly the subject of narratives constructed elsewhere to becoming an authoritative participant in defining how the continent is understood internationally.
Her Excellency reflected thoughtfully on the central arguments of WEAPONS OF MASS MANIPULATION, emphasising the importance of African nations taking greater responsibility for communicating their own histories, realities, achievements and aspirations to the international community, rather than allowing external representations, sometimes distorted or incomplete, to dominate global perceptions.
Of particular significance was her emphasis on the need for deliberate public policy, sustained institutional investment and technological capacity-building to reposition African state media as credible instruments of international diplomacy. She underscored the importance of equipping national media institutions with the professional expertise, technological infrastructure and strategic capabilities necessary to communicate Africa’s perspectives effectively and respond to misleading international narratives.
These reflections resonate profoundly with the book’s central argument that state media diplomacy, when anchored in credibility, institutional competence and strategic purpose, can become an important instrument of national image projection and international influence.
A particularly memorable moment of our meeting was the presentation of an advance, personally autographed copy of WEAPONS OF MASS MANIPULATION to Her Excellency. I was equally delighted by her confirmation of the full participation of the High Commission of the Republic of Botswana in the National Presentation and the inauguration of Annual Diplomacy Day.
Her Excellency stated that recognising the relevance of the book’s arguments to the broader aspiration for an Africa that exercises greater agency in determining how its interests, achievements and aspirations are represented internationally, indicated that the book will be a good reference as her government, and other African governments strive to continue improving governance.
I left the meeting encouraged by the depth of our exchange and the possibilities for sustained intellectual and diplomatic collaboration.
Africa’s future influence will depend not only on what African nations achieve, but also on their capacity to communicate those achievements credibly, defend their perspectives intelligently and participate confidently in shaping the global conversation.
Africa must not simply be represented in the international narrative. Africa must take charge and construct that narrative.
Signed: DR. MKPE ABANG
Founder & Chief Executive,
Media Diplomacy Studies (MDS)
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Editor: Terverr Tyav
