By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Nigeria’s first female professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa and matriarch of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna, has described her life and career as deeply fulfilling and abundantly blessed.
Prof. Okunna stated this in an exclusive interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, at the November Special Congress of the NUJ, held at the Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka, where she marked her birthday amidst fanfare, joy and intellectual company.
The birthday celebration, which formed part of the NUJ’s monthly Congress and training session, was attended by a host of academics, media practitioners, and members of the Union, including the Head of Department of Mass Communication, Paul University, Awka, Prof. Chinwe Uzochukwu; media aide to the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Dr. Barr. Val Obienyem; as well as other distinguished colleagues and journalists who joined in honouring the media matriarch.
Speaking with this reporter shortly after the celebration, Prof. Okunna reflected on her long and impactful journey as an academic, administrator, mother, and mentor, describing it as one filled with divine grace, professional fulfilment, and gratitude to God.
She noted that her greatest achievement in life remains her service as a teacher, a calling she embraced immediately after her youth service and has sustained for several decades, beginning from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.
According to her, nurturing minds and helping young people grow into responsible, successful adults has been the most rewarding part of her life’s journey.
The veteran educator, who has mentored hundreds of journalists and communication scholars across Nigeria, said she feels deeply content seeing many of her former students excel in various fields and impacting society positively. She expressed joy over the academic and professional accomplishments of her children, as well as the progress of her grandchildren, all of whom she described as her greatest blessings.
Radiating warmth and simplicity, the renowned scholar admitted that good health and peace of mind have been among her greatest gifts in life. She revealed that she rarely visits hospitals and attributed her enduring vitality to divine grace rather than any extraordinary regimen, humorously distancing herself from the rather unconventional health routine revealed earlier by the veteran guest speaker at the event, Chief Odogwu Odoemena, who had disclosed that he drinks two cups of urine daily to maintain wellness.
Prof. Okunna said she neither indulges in such practices nor subscribes to them, maintaining that her own secret to longevity lies in gratitude, moderation, happiness, and divine favour. She emphasized that her life’s recurring anthem is gratitude,, for good health, family, career success, and the privilege of impacting generations through teaching, mentorship, and service.
Earlier in her words to young journalists, the respected professor urged them to uphold hard work, ethics, integrity, and continuous learning as essential principles for success.
Prof. Okunna expressed happiness that the NUJ Anambra Council under Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, continues to blend professional growth with social bonding, describing the Union as a vibrant and united family of media professionals.
The event, which also featured a mentorship lecture by the 88-year-old veteran journalist, Chief Odogwu Odoemena, provided a rare blend of wisdom, humour, and history, as the octogenarian shared valuable insights on longevity, discipline, and moral conduct in journalism and life.
Also speaking, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, commended Prof. Okunna for her relentless mentorship and contributions to journalism education, describing her as an embodiment of excellence, knowledge, and humility. He said the Council deemed it fit to celebrate her birthday during the congress to appreciate her immense role in nurturing both the academic and practical arms of journalism in Nigeria.
Dr. Odogwu also lauded the strong participation of intellectuals and veterans in the congress, noting that it symbolized the bridge between generations in the profession. He reaffirmed the Union’s commitment to fostering intellectual growth through interactive congresses that blend fellowship with continuous professional development.
The November Congress was also marked by felicitation messages, songs, and cutting of birthday cake in honour of Prof. Okunna, whose contributions to media practice, development communication, and gender advocacy were described by participants as legendary.
The event further witnessed goodwill messages from visiting journalists and NUJ leaders from other states, including Mr. Ignatius Okpara of African Examiner and NUJ Enugu, who hailed the peaceful and united spirit of the Anambra Council and expressed admiration for its leadership style and intellectual culture.
More photos from the event:
