Dr. Brenda Victor Akpan

MBBS (Sydney), FRACS (Paediatric Surgery)

An International Researcher; Fellow; Media and Gender Consultant; Women’s Rights Activist; Leader; Broadcaster; Publisher; an Academic of Repute; Winner of many awards; A woman of impeccable Pedigree. In 2014, Dr. (Mrs.) Brenda Akpan was identified as an ‘Eminent Personality’ by the Federal Government of Nigeria and invited as a delegate to represent Nigerian Journalists at the ‘2014 National Conference’ to review the Nigerian Constitution. She was also on the Presidential Committee on ‘Good Governance’ set up by the Federal Government in 2013 to investigate and ensure good governance by State Governments in the 36 States of Nigeria. She holds a Ph. D of the University of Basel, Switzerland in Philosophy of Gender and Media (Cum Laude), and obtained her Master’s Degree from the prestigious Cardiff University of Wales U.K in Journalism Studies in 1992 where members of the British Royal family are trained. Alongside various professional certificates from Bessborough, London. An international Journalism trainer for (LWF), Geneva and Ecumenical News International (ENI) New York; Africa’s 1st Consultant International Council of Women, Paris. (ICW). A visitor to 58 countries of the World, including 5 United Nations Conferences and was one of the very few Nigerian women at the famous Beijing Women’s Conference in 1995. This great woman of valour is a winner of many awards, including ‘Top 500’ women in Nigeria by KALME International Awards (1990); Veterans Award (NUJ) AKS 2016, NCWS Fellow (2002); African International Achievers Award, Ghana (2017) FELLOW, Nigerian Institute of Policy Management Development(IPMD); FELLOW, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR)among other professional awards of Excellence . She has recorded Eleven Positions as FIRST in various fields of endeavour both nationally and internationally: • First female HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, Theatre and Media Studies, University of Calabar in 41 years. • Pioneer HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, Theatre, Film and Carnival Studies, UNICAL • Pioneer NATIONAL PRESIDENT and initiator of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) • Africa’s First CONSULTANT (MEDIA) International Council of Women (ICW) Paris, France • First Nigerian female CHAIR, World Service Development Commission (122 countries) LWF, Geneva • First EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ‘ALCINET’ -online news medium, LWF, Geneva • First female DIRECTOR, University of Calabar Performing Company. (UCPC) • First EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, ‘WOMEN’ National Magazine, (NCWS) Nigeria • First female BOARD CHAIRMAN, Akwa Ibom State Tourism Board • First PRESIDENT, Unical Senior Female Staff Association (UWDN) • First Female MEMBER- Detention of Persons Review Panel (Decree No. 2) Presidency, Abuja. Dr. (Mrs.) Brenda Akpan belongs to many Professional Associations in and outside Nigeria including • The International Federation of University Women, Basel, Switzerland; • The Swiss Society of Anthropology (SSGA) • Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) • University Women Association, Cardiff, WALES, UK • Fellow, National Council of Women Societies (NCWS) • International Council of Women (ICW) Paris, France • Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)) • Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) • Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) • The World Association of Christian Communicators (WACC) Toronto, Canada • League of Nigerian Veteran Journalists. Dr. Mrs. Brenda Akpan has virtually gone through the mill in her chosen media profession. She has been a correspondent of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC); Head, Corporate Affairs and Newscaster in NTA, Controller News and Current Affairs, News Editor and Presenter in FRCN; General Manager BIVAAN (Nig.) Ltd; Public Enlightenment Officer, Ministry of Information; Consultant/Trainer in Journalism and presently lecturing Media Studies in the University of Calabar. Her excellent community services has also earned her traditional acknowledgements. She was honoured by Ibesikpo Asutan Community and also the Royal Effanga Ofiong Henshaw Town Community, Calabar as a titled Chief in her own right. Dr. (Mrs.) Brenda Akpan is a well-exposed personality who came into this world on the 21st November, 1954 into the royal Archibong family of Calabar South LG and a Christian home. Dr. (Mrs.) Brenda Akpan is married to Chief Victor Edem Akpan of Ibesikpo Clan in AKS and blessed with (3) Adult Nigerian Professionals, and 5 grandchildren. .