Professor Stella Chinyere Okunna: ‘Okay, Go There and Do your Best and if he Doesn’t Do Well, you can Leave‘

By Chukwudịmma Aaron-Okonkwọ

Ever since the marketing of candidates particularly the presidential candidates for 2023 elections began, I read certain persons – mainly on the opposition side – wrote that all of the commissioners who worked with the Labour Party presidential candidate, HE Mr Peter Obi when he was governor aren’t supporting his presidential ambition talk less of following him for campaigns.

All of those persons who insinuate stuffs like that are individuals that should know better; people that are highly educated enough to know very well that the former governor of Anambra State has almost all the commissioners that worked with him for eight years still following him to this day.

Whether such insinuations are borne out of a strong hatred they have for HE Peter Obi or borne out of their mischief desire to remain propagandists who derive joy in running other people down, one fact remains clear and sacrosanct – Obi’s commissioners are 100% in support of his ambition, as well as following him to functions!

One of such commissioners is the first female professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa by name: Professor Stella Chinyere Okunna.

Today the 6th November marks her birthday and marriage anniversary. But let’s save the “congratulations” till the very end of this piece.

Anambra women, like Late Professor Dora Nkem Akunyili, are known to be no-nonsense personalities. And so is Professor Stella Chinyere Okunna.

To understand the dynamics in proper context, the former Commissioner of Information during Obi’s tenure is not the type a government official can hire to do a propaganda job – telling lies upon lies to the general populace in an attempt to cover the poor performances of the boss. One should better not beam his/her searchlight on this woman of impeccable integrity when looking for a sycophant and praise-singer, for he/she may be thoroughly embarrassed.

In a manner similar to how the pioneer Director-General of NAFDAC, late Prof. Dora Akunyili was picked by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo to be in-charge of NAFDAC by merely looking at her Curriculum Vitae, CV without ever meeting or had known her before, Prof. Stella Okunna was picked by the then newly sworn-in governor of Anambra State, that is HE Mr Peter Obi, in 2006 to be part of his government as a commissioner by simply looking at her CV without ever meeting her.

Yes, you read me right.

HE Peter Obi had never meet this highly cerebral woman who was then minding her teaching job at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka prior to that appointment. He simply saw her CV somewhere and was convinced she has everything it takes to be part of his government.

The ever first time the Uga-born academician met the man who came far ahead of his generation was during the swearing-in of all commissioners.

However, since she doesn’t know anything about the man that wanted her in his government, she almost declined the appointment.

The professor who ended up in his government as the Chief of Staff wondered whether the man who adopted the Millennium Development Goals,MDGs of the United Nations as his visionary plan for Anambra State would do well.

The professor who celebrated her birthday and marriage anniversary today wondered whether the man who later became the best governor to implement the MDGs was going to turn her into a liar and propagandist or make her a shinning light whose integrity as a woman of truth would remain intact.

And so, with heartwarming encouragement from family and friends, the Professor who is married to a specialist Obstetrician and Gynecologist said to herself, “Okay, go there and do your best and if he doesn’t do well, you can leave.”

That’s that! But didn’t end there!

The highly intelligent teacher had to, on one particular day after assumption of office as Commissioner of Information, approach the then governor in his office for a firm assurance that he won’t disappoint the people.

“Your Excellency…”, the ever fearless woman greeted the governor as she walked into his office, and without a pause, continued, “I don’t know you and you don’t even know me. Let me just tell you, I’m not going to lie for you… If you don’t do well, I will not lie for you.”

While saying that, she gave him a copy of her autographed book on the “Ethics of Mass Communication” and probed further, “This is my teaching area and if you don’t do well, I’m not going to lie for you!”

And the two-term former Chairman of Southeast Governors Forum laughed on hearing that. Yes, Obi was startled. He knows he wasn’t going to fail in spite of the pitiable state of things he met on ground. And he was so determined not to fail. For a man who, during his gubernatorial campaigns, asked ndị Anambra to say YES to him if they love Anambra State, a stranger doesn’t need a soothsayer to be told that he will certainly live up to his words of delivering true dividends of democracy for the betterment of everyone.

And so, his response to, Professor Okunna was simple: “I am going to do well.”

And she returned, “Ok, I’ll give it a shot.”

Once again, that’s that!

From giving it a shot in the Ministry of Information, the former lecturer at the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT went on to became a Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget. And later the Chief of Staff!

The former two-term governor saw in her a very meticulous planner; hence, created a new ministry by merging the hitherto existing Ministry of Economic Planning with Ministry of Budget and had her made the Commissioner for the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget. While there, she was also made Chairperson of MDGs Implementation Committee, as well as Coordinating Commissioner for Development Partnership.

To this very day, the first female Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Unizik remains not just one of the most trusted commissioners the LP presidential candidate worked with, but is also one of his trusted partners in the service for humanity!

Now, can we please give rounds of applause to the Professor of professors while wishing her a very happy birthday and marriage anniversary? Let’s celebrate!

The best of my prayers are with you and yours, dearest Prof!

Congratulations!