Nigeria’s first female professor of Journalism, Okunna, joins Newstide Board as Deputy Chair

Mass Communication and research expert Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, has been appointed Deputy Chairman of Newstide Publications Limited, and a member of the Editorial Board of Newstide independent online newspaper title, Prime business.

Prof. Okunna is expected to bring her over 40 years of experience to bear on both roles.

Born and raised in Anambra State, Nigeria, Prof. Okunna began her career as a lecturer in the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu between 1981 and 1994, before joining the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 1994.

Associate Professor at the Department of Information Technology, Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Dr Bashir Abdullahi in a chat with Prime Business, said “Okunna’s strategic  appointment speaks volumes and indicates the direction the multimedia company intends to go, especially in the context of her  journalism teaching experience and industry exposure to best corporate governance culture.”

Prof. Okunna was the first female Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences in Nnamdi Azikiwe University (2016–2019), as well as the first female Head of Mass Communication Department (1998-2006) during which time she introduced to the department a postgraduate programmes (PGD, MSc, and Ph.D.) and subsequently, a Professional Diploma in Journalism Programme during her second tenure as Head of Mass Communication (2014-2017).

Between 2006 and 2014, Prof. Okunna served in the government of Anambra State as Chief of Staff; commissioners in the ministries of Information and Culture, Economic Planning and Budget; as well as coordinating commissioner for Development Partnership/Donor Agencies.

Prof. Okunna has served as a resource person and consultant for local and international organisations, received recognition for her scholarly works in mass communication, has been severally recognised by different organisations as a trailblazer in the field of mass communication, and boasts of several scholarly works published over the years.

Newstide Publications Limited is a multimedia company that offers reliable sources of news and analyses on Africa’s social, economic, and political trends and developments. Publisher of online business newspaper Prime Business, Newstide is positioned to become a reputable media research agency that supplies relevant data for public and private sector needs.