Board of Directors/Governing Council

Dr Verlumun Celestine Gever: Chairman, Board of Directors / Governing Council

Dr Verlumun Celestine Gever provides the strategic vision, academic rigour, and global authority that drive Gever Verlumun Publishers LLP. As a distinguished communication scholar and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Dr Gever is uniquely positioned at the intersection of top-tier research and scholarly publishing.

Global Impact and Editorial Leadership

Dr Gever’s profile reflects exceptional research influence. His standing among the top two per cent of scientists globally, as recognised by the authoritative Stanford University and Elsevier rankings, validates his standing in the field. This is further affirmed by his consistent ranking as the leading communication scholar in Nigeria since 2019 according to Scopus SciVal metrics. His scholarly record includes over 90 articles indexed in Scopus and more than 80 in the Web of Science Core Collection, appearing in premier academic journals published by Elsevier, SAGE, Springer Nature, Taylor and Francis, Oxford University Press, Emerald, and Wiley. He actively safeguards academic integrity, with over 130 verified peer reviews completed in Web of Science.

Strategic Vision and Academic Entrepreneurship

Demonstrating a profound understanding of the global publishing ecosystem, Dr Gever is a committed academic entrepreneur, serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Verlumun Journal of AI, Gender and Cultural Studies and the Mdooter Journal of Communication and Digital Technologies, as well as founding the Scopus-indexed Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies. His international outlook is anchored in distinguished research fellowships, including a fellowship at the Centre for Advanced Internet Studies (CAIS) in Bochum, Germany, and a fellowship appointment at INTI International University, Malaysia. Academically, Dr Gever holds Master’s and Doctoral degrees in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and a Bachelor’s degree from Kogi State University, where he graduated as the Best Graduating Student. He is a certified member of the International Strategic Management Institute (ISMI). Dr Gever operates by a clear leadership principle—do what you say and say what you can do—bringing methodical execution and structural stability to Gever Verlumun Publishers LLP.

Dr Innocent I. Olijo: Governing Council Member

Dr Innocent I. Olijo is an accomplished executive, strategic communication expert, and scholar whose profile uniquely bridges corporate governance, financial strategy, and high-integrity academic publishing. His appointment brings a vital perspective on operational excellence and brand stewardship to the Governing Council of Gever Verlumun Publishers LLP.

Corporate Leadership and Strategic Oversight

Dr Olijo spent over 18 years in the competitive Nigerian financial services industry, holding key leadership roles at Guaranty Trust Bank Plc (GTBank) between 2000 and 2018. This corporate background equips the Council with deep expertise in prudent financial management, organizational structure, and operational execution. His key achievements include:

  • Providing strategic leadership across multiple major commercial banking branches.

  • Directing cross-functional teams to execute customer service and sustainable business growth strategies.

  • Contributing significantly to institutional operational reforms and branch network expansions.

He is a certified member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), reinforcing his expertise in statutory and financial governance.

Academic Influence and Publishing Integrity

Dr Olijo holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication (1996), a Master’s degree (2015), and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Relations (2021), all from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His verified publications in Scopus and active scholarly engagements provide direct insight into peer-review ethics and international indexing strategies. He maintains active professional membership in the International Crisis Management Association (ICMA) and the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE).

Dr John Oluwaseyi Jemisenia: Governing Council Secretary

Dr John Oluwaseyi Jemisenia is a consultant medical sociologist, public health researcher, and specialist in implementing structured research protocols. As Secretary of the Governing Council for Gever Verlumun Publishers LLP, Dr Jemisenia oversees the procedural integrity, accuracy, and operational compliance of the Council’s governance workflows.

Expertise in Structured and High-Compliance Environments

Dr Jemisenia brings more than a decade of experience in public health systems consultation and empirical research—domains requiring strict adherence to compliance protocols and statutory reporting standards. He has collaborated on major international health initiatives with bodies including:

  • The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, John Snow Inc., the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and Banyan Global.

  • Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL) and the United States President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI).

His work with the Centre for Translation and Implementation Research (CTAIR), the coordinating hub for the Nigeria Implementation Science Alliance (NISA), demonstrates his capacity to apply empirical qualitative and quantitative insights to complex institutional frameworks.

Academic Foundation for Publishing Integrity

Dr Jemisenia holds a PhD in Medical Sociology and Anthropology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, and graduated as the best graduating student in Sociology from Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University) in 2012. His peer-reviewed research record across health promotion, gender dynamics, and social disparities ensures meticulous oversight of the publisher's ethical guidelines and peer-review rigor.

Professor Barr. Peter Nwabuisi Nwokolo: Governing Council Member

Professor Barr. Peter Nwabuisi Nwokolo brings a multi-disciplinary background spanning university academia, legal practice, and public sector administration. His dual qualifications provide essential strategic guidance to Gever Verlumun Publishers LLP on statutory compliance, intellectual property law, and publishing ethics.

Strategic and Legal Expertise

Professor Nwokolo offers distinct legal and scholarly insight:

  • Academic Authority: He is a Full Professor of Mass Communication at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, having completed his PhD in Mass Communication from Benue State University, Makurdi, in 2016.

  • Legal Compliance: A qualified Barrister-at-Law called to the Nigerian Bar in 2007, Professor Nwokolo provides direct oversight on intellectual property rights, copyright agreements, open-access licensing, and contractual governance.

Administrative and Policy Background

His public sector trajectory includes roles as a Supervisor of Secondary Schools for the Enugu State Education Commission and Information Officer in the Ministry of Information and Culture. Professor Nwokolo holds a BSc in Political Science (1983), a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), and an MA in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Professor Victoria Anum: Governing Council Member

Professor Victoria Anum is an academic leader, Professor of Mass Communication, and specialist in media management and development communication. Her profile contributes extensive experience in academic administration, developmental policy, and scholarly publishing.

Editorial and Publishing Authority

Professor Anum provides practical editorial insight through senior editorial appointments, including Editor of the PAAU Journal of Mass Communication and Associate Editor of the KSU Journal of Mass Communication. Her research focuses on the adoption of generative artificial intelligence in higher education, media sustainability, and digital transformation. She currently serves as the Acting Head of the Department of Mass Communication and Chairperson of the Appointment and Promotion Committee at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.

Public Service and Communication Management

Her public service record includes serving as Press Secretary to the First Lady of Benue State and Chairperson of the Better Life Programme, as well as Principal Information Officer in the Benue State Ministry of Information, Makurdi. Professor Anum holds a PhD in Mass Communication (2018), an MA in Mass Communication (2002), and a BA (Hons) in Mass Communication (1984).

Dr Ngozi Bibian Okeibunor: Governing Council Member

Dr Ngozi Bibian Okeibunor is an experienced communication strategist and academic whose work in Public Relations, advertising management, and operational systems supports the corporate and brand governance of Gever Verlumun Publishers LLP. She serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Benson Idahosa University.

Professional and Strategic Qualifications

  • Certified Project Manager: Holds a Professional Certificate in Project Management from CUPE Limited (UK), providing oversight for publishing system rollouts, OJS updates, and indexing workflows.

  • Public Relations and Media Relations: Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) with seasoned experience in corporate brand communication.

  • Scholarly Focus: Her research addresses organizational reputation, corporate sponsorship mechanisms, and digital communication channels.

Academic Administration

Dr Okeibunor earned her PhD in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2021). She serves as the Postgraduate Studies Departmental Coordinator at Benson Idahosa University and served for seven years as Departmental Examination Officer. She is an active member of the African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) and the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ).

Dr Alice Jonah: Governing Council Member

Dr Alice Jonah is an established academic administrator and Chief Lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State. Her expertise supports the Governing Council in curriculum-aligned publishing, manuscript development, and institutional quality assurance.

Administrative Governance

Dr Jonah served as Head of the Department of Mass Communication at The Federal Polytechnic, Bida (2022–2025), Secretary to the Heads of Departments Forum (2022–2025), Chairman of the Curriculum Development Committee, and a long-standing Member of the institution's Research and Publications Committee.

Scholarly and Creative Profile

Dr Jonah earned her PhD in Mass Communication from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2021) and an MSc from Benue State University, Makurdi. Her research spans health risk framing, social media dynamics, and displaced populations. An author of eight literary titles, she brings valuable author-centric insight into creative publishing, editorial development, and content dissemination. She is a registered professional member of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) and the ACCE.