Former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, says the knowledge sector is overtaking the petroleum industry as a crucial economic pillar for the country.

Obi said this at the launch of ‘Communication and Media Studies: Multiple Perspectives,’ a communication handbook edited by professor of Mass Communication at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Chinyere Okunna.

According to a statement titled ‘Nigerians Commend First Female Communication and Media Studies Professor on Book Launch,’ the event, which took place at the UNIZIK auditorium, was attended by university scholars, media and communication professionals, captains of industry, and journalists.

Obi commended Okunna, who was his Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Economic Planning as governor, saying she had contributed immensely to the growth and development of the education system in the country and that she must be celebrated.

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He said, “Oil money used to be the major earner for Nigeria, but today, the world is moving away from oil. The knowledge sector is now the money-earning industry. Knowledge is power and power rules the world.

“We have Prof. Okunna and her team doing research and writing books. We need more people with working ideas; productive people for Nigeria.”

In her remarks, Okunna, who is the Director of UNIZIK 94.1 FM, noted that the book was an archive of various perspectives of communication and media studies, which she said would shape and change the communication landscape around the world.

The chief host on the occasion and Vice Chancellor, UNIZIK, Prof. Charles Esimone, said, “We’re working towards becoming one of the top 200 universities in the world. I have seen the vision and it is achievable and this great book is one of the right directions towards success.

“It will take focus, innovation, and a lot of hard work to achieve that. Excellence is the thing we should be celebrating in universities, innovation, scholarship and others.”