Encomiums, Tears of Joy as Elites Honour Communication Scholar, Prof. Okunna on Birthday

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Awka, the capital city of Anambra State, in Wednesday, witnessed a grand gathering of intellectuals, leaders, academics,band professionals alike in honor of first female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, as she marked her 83rd birthday and wedding anniversary. 

Organized by the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Chaired by Dr. Ikechukwu Umeh of the PACENT Technologies Ltd., the event, which held at the University's Auditorium, also served as the inaugural Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna International Conference, themed “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Communication and Scholarship in Nigeria,” as well as a special celebration of the impactful career of the Amazon, Okunna.

Dissecting the theme of the event in his keynote address, the Keynote Speaker and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, Gombe State, Prof. Umar Pate described Prof. Okunna as a beacon of excellence in Nigerian academia, commending her dedication to mentoring future scholars and transforming communication studies. 

He further hailed her as an “institution in her own right,” further celebrating and giving instances of her pioneering spirit, academic accomplishments, and generous mentorship. Prof. Pate also emphasized that Prof. Okunna’s influence had left an indelible mark on countless communication scholars and highlighted her commitment to advancing the field with her human intelligence, just as Artificial Intelligence presents greater prospects for Communication and Scholarship in Nigeria and beyond.

Also speaking at the event, former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, represented by his Media Aide, Barr. Valentine Obienyem, praised Prof. Okunna’s contributions to both academic scholarship and governance. Obi, through Obienyem, acknowledged AI as a powerful force shaping communication, education, and healthcare, while also urging for balanced, ethical AI use to positively impact society.

In their separate remarks at the event, while the Chief Host of the event and Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Bernard Odoh, who was represented by Prof. Philomena Igbokwe, attested that Prof. Okunna had made great impacts on the institution and also been a source of inspiration to young female lecturers since the late 1990s; the Host and Head of the Department of Mass Communication, UNIZIK, Prof. Allen Adum, credited his career progression to Prof. Okunna’s unquantifiable support and foresight. 

“I am here today as a professor because Prof. Okunna lifted me up,” Prof. Allen said, further recounting moments when her encouragement guided him through the ranks.

On his own part, the Traditional Ruler of Igbakwu community, Igwe Prof. Onuorah Nwuneli, a mentor to Prof. Okunna, celebrated her numerous accomplishments, especially her rise as the first female professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa. The erudite professor and monarch shared a personal account of how he mentored Prof. Okunna through her academic journey, describing her as “the sister his mother never had” also attesting to her resilience, brilliance, and steadfast commitment to academia. He recounted their professional collaborations, which laid the groundwork for the department’s PhD program in Mass Communication at UNIZIK, further establishing her as a trailblazer in Nigerian academia.

Earlier speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Udeh, described Prof. Okunna as a “transitional being.” She lauded Okunna’s multifaceted role in government, with special references to her past leadership positions as Chief of Staff to then-Governor Peter Obi;  Commissioner for Economic Planning, and head of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) office. Prof. Udeh credited Prof. Okunna’s work in advancing the MDGs across Anambra State, a feat rarely matched in Nigerian governance.

Contributing, the candidate of Labour Party in the 2021 Anambra governorship election, Dr. Val Ozigbo, who also graced the occasion, congratulated and hailed the personality and legacies of the celebrant, while also wishing her greater years of greater successes ahead. 

Dr. Ozigbo, while addressing newsmen, also condemned what he described as the alarming rate of insecurity in different parts of Anambra State today, including the Awka, the state capital where he said cases and reports of cult-related killings and clashes have now become the order of the day. While opining that Anambra is currently bleeding, Ozigbo also urged citizens to pray for peace and further called for concerted efforts to address the issues plaguing the state and the country at large.

Beyond keynote speeches, discussions, and paper presentations kickstarted by the Lead Presenter —Rev. Fr. Prof. Walter Ihejirika of the University of Port Harcourt — the event reached an emotional crescendo with a surprise birthday celebration for ‘Mummy Prof.’, organized by “Prof. Okunna’s Mentees”—a group of mass communication scholars, lecturers, students, media professionals, and former students profoundly impacted in one way or the other by Prof. Okunna’s mentorship. 

This heartfelt celebration blended with music and outpour of gifts, filled the hall with echos and bravos, drawing tears of joy and gratitude from Prof. Okunna as she witnessed the immense affection and respect her mentees showed her.

“I have never seen this kind of thing in my life before,” she confessed, commending everyone for their efforts and inputs towards the success of the State event.