The Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, wore a new face recently, as the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku commissioned the newly refurbished Ultra Modern Auditorium named after Prof Chinyere Okunna.
The auditorium, which was renovated by the Head of Department, Mass Communication, Dr. Ifeoma Dunu, was supported largely by Prof. Okunna, who was the immediate past Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning in the Anambra State.
The event, which was held at the Mass Communication Complex, had in attendance the Director of Physical Planning, Dr Godson Okafor, lecturers and students of the department.
While commissioning the facility, Prof. Ahaneku lauded Okunna for her uncommon feat and urged other departments in the university to emulate Dr Dunu in utilising development funds for common good.
His words: “This is a very wonderful event and we thank God because, through the leadership of Mass Communication department, we are able to realise that mentoring is very, very important. I know that Prof. Okunna mentored a lot of persons in this department. She also tried to motivate the workers, staff, teaching and non-teaching. Even when she was serving the government of our state, her eyes and attention were here. She donated a lot of facilities and today, the department is honouring and appreciating her role and qualities in this department over the years.”
Ahaneku said the department has grown from strength to strength, produced renowned professors and scholars over the years. He commended Okunna for serving the government meritoriously and returning to the department to continue her work in human capacity development.
Prof. Ahaneku also promised the students that, under his administration, the university would prosper and progress. He advised students to keep the auditorium neat and urged other departments to learn from Mass Communication Department on how to utilize fund wisely.
Responding, Prof Okunna, said she was amazed by the encomium poured on her by the VC and promised to do more for the department. She commended the VC for the feat he accomplished with the hitch-free conduct of the post-UTME, describing it as the beginning of the good things to come.
Okunna described Dr Dunu as young, full of ideas and vibrant and pledged to invest her resources for the good of the department.
Also speaking, the Head of Department, Dr. Dunu said the auditorium named after Prof Okunna would provide a befitting learning atmosphere for students.
“Before now, we had ordinary chairs in the auditorium but when Prof Okunna came back after working with the former Governor, Peter Obi, I approached her as the HOD on the need for that auditorium to look differently and she gladly bought the idea. She donated N1m to the department. With the support of the fund released by the university, it has become a reality”.
The HOD told Campus Sun that before she assumed office, the department, which was located off the Faculty of Social Sciences, had no car park but she created an interlocked environment that gave the compound a facelift and created a car park. According to her, she also created a mini library for the department to engage the students.
“In this department, we are known for excellence, discipline and hard work and we have always prided ourselves with that,” she said.
A 300level student of Mass Communication, who doubles as the PRO of Association of Mass Communication Students (ASOMACS), Unizik, Franklin Onwubiko, told Campus Sun that Dr Dunu has been so supportive of the students in the department.

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