Wednesday February 11, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
Professor Charles Obot has been appointed Vice Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Uyo, Nigeria.
Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ashong Ashong named Professor Obot as the man to deputise him in the highly coveted role, following the formal baton handover, which took place at the office of the Dean, Wednesday.
The choice of a Vice Dean is critical, and can make or mar an administration.
Professor Ashong said “I am pleased to announce that after careful consideration, I have decided to appoint Prof Charles D. Obot as Vice Dean with immediate effect. Please give him all the support and cooperation he requires to discharge this assignment creditably.”
Outgoing Dean Professor Peter Esuh reminded colleagues that the event signified growth and evolution, from the defunct Communication Arts Department to a Faculty housing nine departments and 17 programmes.
Rallying the support of faculty members, Professor Ashong, who said he might not be seeking re-election, but would do only a single term of two years and hand over by January 2028, noted that “there was a whole lot to work for, and too short a time to waste on frivolities …”
Vice Dean
Faculty of Communication and Media Studies
A thoroughbred leader, an intrepid teacher, and astute adminstrator, the choice of Professor Obot has drawn commendation from ecstatic Faculty members confident in his capacity to produce results.
One Faculty member described the move as a bold attempt at “scripting a future of excellence and shared pride.”
In Obot, Professor Ashong has not only gifted the Faculty, and indeed himself a trusted lieutenant, a confidant, an ally, but also a workaholic, a go-getter and a powerhouse.
Pioneer and current Head of the Department of Film and Multimedia Studies, Professor Obot, himself an accomplished scholar, needs little introduction within and beyond the enclosure of the University of Uyo community, particularly for his integrity, honesty, and excellent track records.
Professor Obot boasts a résumé rich in candor, acumen, discernment, forthrightness, candidness, and honesty.
He brings with him also a wealth of experience, having had meritorious stints in sundry capacities within the University setup, including serving twice as Secretary of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and recently, Deputy Director, Quality Assurance, University of Uyo.
Before joining the academia, Obot practised journalism across the major mass media, including the Pioneer (newspaper, Uyo), Master Detective (magazine, Lagos), Ondo State Radio Vision Corporation (OSRC), and the Great Commission Movement of Nigeria (film).
He also had years with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where he rose to the position of Principal Reporter/Editor.
Before transferring his services to the University of Uyo, Professor Obot had part time teaching roles with the Nigerian Christian Institute (NCI), Abia State University, and the International Institute of Journalism.
Between 2015/2016, he spent his year-long sabbatical leave at the Department of Mass Communication, Akwa Ibom State University, where his immense contributions towards the evolution of the young department remain immutable.
Obot obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree from the University of Cross River State; MA & a PhD from the University of Uyo.
Obot has research biases for broadcasting, governance and development, as well as mass media utilisation, with his publications and scholarly works cited in leading academic indexing platforms across the globe.
He is on the Editorial board and also a Reviewer for at least five international journals, including Journal of Media and Mass Communication, (PAK Publishing Group, Pakistan), Humanities and Social Sciences, International Journal of Literature and Arts. International Journal of Language and Linguistics (Science Publishing Group), New York, USA.
Obot has also reviewed articles for journals published by the ScienceDomain, London, UK, among a host of others.
Professor Obot holds professional membership with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), International Society for Development and Sustainability (ISDS), Japan, and the European Centre for Research, Training and Development (ECRTD, UK).