By Chinaza Nwagbo
The induction ceremony of the department of Mass Communication for the year 2025 was indeed memorable because it was graced by a woman of substance in the media field Prof.Stella Chinyere Okunna.
Prof. Okunna is a distinguished Nigerian academic renowned for her pioneering contributions to mass communication. She holds the notable distinction of being the first female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Born into the Adimora family in Uga, Anambra State, Nigeria, she embarked on her educational journey at St. John’s Primary School in Ekwulobia, pursued higher education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree.
She furthered her studies with a Master of Arts from the University of Leicester, England, and later obtained a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University
She began her teaching career in 1981 at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu. In 1994, she joined the Department of Mass Communication.
She also served as the Head of the Department of Mass Communication from 1998 to 2006 and was the first female Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the same university from 2016 to 2019.
Beyond academia, Professor Okunna has made significant contributions to public service.Her roles included Commissioner for Information and Culture, Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, and Chief of Staff.
In 2022, Professor Okunna was appointed as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) at Paul University, Awka, continuing her commitment to advancing higher education in Nigeria.
Her research primarily focuses on the role of media in societal development and women’s empowerment.Through her extensive career in academia and public service, Prof. Okunna has significantly influenced mass communication practices and policies in Nigeria, inspiring many in the field.
During her speech at the induction ceremony, she encouraged the ladies to be weary of deceit by the opposite gender but rather work hard on building themselves in both character and learning.
It was therefore no surprise that she was presented with an Award of Honor as the Matron of ASOMACS before the end of the event.
Afterall, who better deserves it?
