Minister Celebrates Okocha On Elevation To Professorial Rank

Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has commended media scholar and communication expert, Prof. Desmond Onyemechi Okocha, for his contributions to scholarship, media development, research and nation-building.

Tunji-Ojo, in a goodwill message delivered by his special adviser on Strategy and Innovation, Prof. AbdulKadir Mukhtar, at the professorial thanksgiving and book launch held in honour of Okocha at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, yesterday, described Okocha’s elevation to the professorial rank as not only a recognition of his past achievements but also a call to greater service, intellectual productivity and mentorship.

The event was attended by academics, government officials, media professionals, traditional and religious leaders, family members, colleagues and friends.

It was held to celebrate Okocha’s elevation to the rank of professor and his contributions to knowledge and society.

He said the new academic status should inspire the university don to continue teaching, writing, researching, mentoring young people and generating ideas capable of transforming society.

“Today, we celebrate you, but celebration also creates expectation. Your new rank is not simply a reward for what you have done; it is a commission for what you can still do,” Tunji-Ojo said.

According to him, the professorship should serve as a platform for Okocha to build bridges across disciplines, challenge conventional thinking and ensure that his scholarship remains relevant to social transformation.

He urged younger academics and students to draw inspiration from Okocha’s career by pursuing knowledge, credibility and character rather than visibility and titles alone.

“Do not pursue visibility without credibility, do not pursue influence without character, do not pursue obligation without knowledge, and never become so accomplished that you stop learning,” he advised.

The minister also stressed the importance of continuous learning, warning that intellectual growth could decline when individuals stopped asking questions and seeking new knowledge.

He called on Nigerian universities and scholars to focus more on developing original African ideas, theories and intellectual frameworks capable of addressing both continental and global challenges.

Tunji-Ojo noted that although there was nothing wrong with borrowing knowledge from developed countries, African scholars should increasingly develop ideas and innovations that could be exported to the rest of the world.

The minister further highlighted the need for responsible communication in the age of artificial intelligence and social media, urging journalists, media practitioners and members of the public to verify information before publishing or sharing it.

He warned that misinformation could have devastating consequences, particularly during conflicts, stressing the need for accuracy, professionalism and responsibility in public communication.

Tunji-Ojo also encouraged young Nigerians to embrace artificial intelligence and acquire the skills needed to benefit from opportunities emerging from the technology.

He noted that although projections by the World Economic Forum indicate that millions of jobs could be displaced by artificial intelligence by 2030, new opportunities would also emerge for people equipped with the appropriate skills.

Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, Dr Felix Oisamoje, described Okocha as a scholar whose influence extends beyond the classroom to public communication, media development, research and social transformation.

Oisamoje and other speakers also commended Okocha for the presentation of three books, describing the publications as evidence of his commitment to scholarship and engagement with contemporary African issues.

The speakers said the books explored issues ranging from the history and identity of black people in India to Nigeria’s national development, communication, religion, society and family.

Oisamoje noted that Okocha’s research on people of African descent in India was particularly significant for highlighting the historical contributions of Africans and people of African descent to societies beyond the continent.

Similarly, Okocha cautioned against allowing technology to replace human judgement, ethics, and responsibility, stressing that artificial intelligence should remain a tool that assists humanity rather than undermines human values.

He urged media professionals and students to cultivate the habit of reading, noting that broad knowledge and exposure were essential to effective communication and quality journalism.

They described Okocha’s books as valuable resources for communication scholars, journalists, media practitioners and students seeking to understand storytelling and communication in a rapidly changing world.