Nigeria’s first female Professor of Mass Communication, Stella Okunna has donated a multi-million naira building tagged Professor Chinyere Okunna legacy building to the Mass Communication Department of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The building which comprise of a one thousand sitting capacity hall, a studio with state of the arts equipment was single handedly built by Okunna who said it was her long term dream to leave a legacy after passing through the institution as a lecturer, Head of Department and Dean of social sciences.

In her words; “It is my own symbolic way of enhancing teaching and learning in the institution especially in the area of Mass Communication which has always been my first love.

“The students need to be exposed to the practical aspect of communication while in the university so that when they graduate, they will be well armed with the rudiments of both broadcast and print journalism,” Okunna said.

She said that though the building might not be a very big complex, she decided to fund the cost because it was a way of supporting the institution that had virtually become part of her. “I came into this university over 20 years ago and as we are winding down our stay here, I felt that I should leave a legacy in this citadel of learning. We could not have done this without the support of the Vice Chancellor and members of management of the university as well as my loving husband who gave me all the necessary support I needed.”

The commissioning of the edifice which attracted dignitaries form all works of life including the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the governing council of UNIZIK, Rtd. Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyam, as well as the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Joseph Ahaneku was performed by the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who was the Secretary to the Anambra State Government (SSG) when Okunna served the State Government hailed her for creating an enabling environment for Mass Communication students of the institution.

He noted that the studio will help students of radio broadcast journalism improve on their skills adding that Okunna was an achiever.

“This legacy project does not only seek to connect the beneficiary community to the radio, but also gives the community a huge sense of ownership and an avenue to express their unfettered views about society.

“UNIZIK is ours, built for us, run by us and therefore, we must all seek to add value to this great university by bequeathing legacy projects, as well as structural and academic endowments,” Obaze stated.

On his part, the former Governor described Okunna as a very hardworking academic who had contributed immensely towards the training of professionals in the field of Mass Communication.

He said that Okunna has again achieved the feat she achieved during her time as a Commissioner in his cabinet.

He said: “Okunna never disappointed during the eight years she served in my administration. She is a great planner and manager and that was the reason she was removed from the information Ministry and moved to budget and planning during my administration.”

Okunna’s gesture is the first of its kind in the history of the university.

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