By Faith Edeh
Vice-Chancellor Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK, Prof Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie has appointed Prof Allen Nnanwuba Adum as the Acting Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. His appointment is with immediate effect.
Prof. Adum was formerly the Head of Department, Mass Communication, previously of Faculty of Social Sciences of the university.
The letter was signed by the university Registrar of Unizik, Dr. Chinenye Gloria Okeke states as directed by the Vice Chancellor Prof Bond Ugochukwu Anyaehie.
In his remarks after receiving the appointment letter, Prof. Allen Nnanwuba Adum, the Acting Dean,
Faculty of Communication and Media Studies
Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka expressed love for the unity of purpose that enabled the success of the faculty by all members particularly the professors.
He said: "Our Department of Mass Communication has been upgraded to the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. Glory to God! We did it by God's grace. We transition by God's grace. We get established, like the Oak tree, by God's grace. It was God's grace, and it's still God's grace all the way. Congratulations to us, and more of God's expressive grace to us".
But, last year, the Nigerian Universities Commission, NUC, accreditation team visited and unbundled the department of Mass Communication with additional four programmes.
The four additional programmes aside Mass Communication are Journalism and Media Studies, Broadcasting, Advertising and Development Communication Studies. These programmes now translate into departments.
The programmes had year one students admitted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB last year, even though the university didn't want to name the faculty then to ensure the students have come to stay. The students will by August write their second semester exams.
This is coming as Prof Chinwe Uzochukwu has been elected the Head of Department, Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka after a keenly contested election between her and Prof Uche Ebeze.
Prof Uzochukwu scored 26 votes against 23 votes by Prof Ebeze.
Declaring Prof Uzochukwu winner , the DVC, Administration, Prof Hilda Osisioma congratulated the department for securing an upgrade to a faculty, urging them to show love always for the growth and development of the faculty and the university.
Prof Uzochukwu accepted the election results and thanked everyone for the solidarity in electing her, assuring she would carry everyone along, even as Prof Ebeze accepted the election with the spirit of sportsmanship and thanked everyone for showing him love.
Prof Cornelius Ukwueze in his remarks appealed for a level playing ground for the faculty to thrive as nobody came to Unizik to seek for troubles but personal upgrades and family welfare.
Dean, faculty of social sciences. Prof Michael Ezenwa reminded that part of his campaign promises was to get Mass Communication unbundled to a faculty hence he is grateful to have accomplished that lofty feat and urged members of the latest faculty to embrace peace, unity and fairness for a progressive faculty.
Prof Ezenwa further prayed God to help the new faculty to realise its dream and potentials even as he advised Prof Allen as a dean to show his love, big heart, and ensure his leadership will now be more embracing and tolerant as these are important to manage the big house that is now laid before him.
He thanked the Vice Chancellor Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie for his support and the approval of the new faculty, Prof Carol Arinze-Umeobi former Acting Vice Chancellor for her efforts in resource verification of the new programmes that have now metamorphosed into departments in the new faculty, and Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna for her immense support from conception to delivery and the entire staff of the department of Mass Communication now a new faculty.
In his first emergency meeting as Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Prof Adum appealed for cooperation from everyone as he will run an Open door policy.
He reminded that the faculty granted the department was as a result of efforts of previous Heads of Department including Prof Chinwe Uzochukwu who started the processes in 2021, before handing over to Prof Cornelius Ukwueze and Associate Prof Chioma Agbasimelo before himself took over.
He assured that the faculty is on a sure footing and would soon be the envy of others , insisting there would be no bad blood from anyone but peace and progress for excellence to thrive.
" There would be consultation always. We shall run a transparent office. We lose nothing by having peace but we lose everything to be in war......", Prof Adum concluded.
Director Unizik FM, Prof Ifeoma Dunu, and Sub-Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr. Kene Okeyika, among others were at the election.