An interesting trend emerges as Catholic reverend sisters make society proud by getting to the peak of their careers as professors, vice chancellor and provost at federal universities
By Chinedu Oguh, Port Harcourt
They are great ambassadors of the Catholic Church who have given a good account of themselves to God and humanity. They are the pride of Catholic reverend sisters and professors who have attained the peak of their academic careers with dignity and honour to the admiration of their admirers.
History was made in November, 2025, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, when the erudite scholar and reverend sister, Professor Antonia Essien was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Uyo. Before her appointment, she was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics). This is the first time a woman and a Reverend Sister would occupy the exalted office.
Similarly, another reverend sister, beautiful and charming Professor Chika Euphemia Asogwa, a professor of Mass Communication at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has been appointed Provost of the College of Education, Communication and Multidisciplinary Studies.
She specializes in Broadcast Journalism, social and new media studies, gender and behavioural change communication, health communication and strategic communication. Over the years, she has built an outstanding academic career distinguished by excellence in teaching, research, academic leadership, and university administration.
Professor Asogwa earned her B.Sc and M.Sc degrees in Mass Communication from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome and Ph.D in Communications from the Pontifical Angelicum University, Rome, Italy. She commenced her academic career at the Kogi State University, Anyigba, where she held several positions including Head of the Department of Mass Communication from 2011 to 2016.
A prolific researcher and scholar, Professor Asogwa has published extensively in reputable national and international journals. Her research interests span media studies, journalism, digital media, health communication, strategic communication, gender studies and development communication.
She has also authored and co-authored several books and book chapters. Her scholarly achievements have earned her multiple TETFund grants and sponsorships, covering research projects, book publication, manuscript publication, research training in Germany, and conference attendance in Germany, United Kingdom, United States and Spain.
At FUOYE, Professor Asogwa serves as the pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies. Her wealth of leadership experience includes serving as Director of Academic Planning, Acting Dean and Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, pioneer Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Senator of the University, Chairperson of the University Sports Committee and member of the University’s Governing Council.
In addition to her administrative and leadership responsibilities, Reverend Sister Professor Asogwa serves as Editor-in-Chief of The FUOYE Journal of Communication and as an Associate Editor of several academic journals. She has further contributed to the development of higher education through her engagement as an external examiner, member of National Universities Commission accreditation teams, professorial assessor and supervisor of numerous postgraduate students.
