Professor Okocha emerges Nigeria Chapter Chairman of International Communication Association

Okocha

By EDITH UBA

Professor Desmond Onyemechi Okocha has emerged as the new Chairperson of the Nigerian chapter of the International Communication Association (ICA), marking a seamless leadership transition at the body’s maiden national conference.

The handover from pioneer chair Dr. Ekaete George to Prof. Okocha, her former deputy, took place during the two-day event on March 24–25 at Nile University, in Abuja. The conference, themed “Global Communication Shifts and Implications for Africa,” drew scholars and practitioners for panels on AI, climate change and crisis communication.

Among the dignitaries was the Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, represented by Malam Ali Muhammed Ali, Director General of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Also present was Dr. Dili Ezughah, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Press Council.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Okocha, a Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media and Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies at Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State, unveiled his executive team to include Dr. Comfort Bulus, Dr. E.Y.E. Bassey, Dr. Godswill John, Mr. Odoh Diego Okenyodo and Mr. Adebusuyi Adedotun. He pledged an aggressive membership drive targeting universities and industry practitioners to expand ICA Nigeria’s reach, launching a one-year renewable term.

Dr. George, in her farewell remarks, celebrated milestones like expanded membership, 13 Quarterly Seminar Series and enhanced national-global collaborations, urging sustained momentum.

Established in 1950 and now spanning over 80 countries, ICA has ramped up African engagement through chapters like Nigeria’s which was launched in 2023 to localise global scholarship on issues like media credibility, digital transformation and governance communication.

Observers hail the transition as strategic, positioning ICA Nigeria as a key platform for African voices in worldwide communication research.