ABS director takes a bow after many fruitful years in service

“There is time for everything” is a popular saying that comes to mind whenever there is to be a change in an era. It is usually so easy to say until it was time for men who have led or are leading impactful lives to take a bow.

Gabriel Ndubuisi Okpalaeze, the Director of News and Current Affairs Department, Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, who is taking a bow today after a meritorious 32 years in public service of Ndi Anambra is one of such men who it would seem time should take a standstill on their path. Tallest as he is called is a true iroko in person and in action. A journalist per excellence, a quintessential broadcaster, Ọzọ Meraifedimma, Gabito, Ọkwụlụ ọka or Nnadiebube is a man who has made men, a selfless, honest, and transparent leader, a mentor, father, news ambassador, and an advocate for peace and justice.

Born on this day, 26th October, 1963, Mr Okpalaeze is from Nnokwa in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He holds a Postgraduate diploma, PGD in Mass Communication from Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka (2005), a Higher National Diploma, HND, in Mass Communication of the Federal Polytechnic, Oko (1988), Ordinary National Diploma, OND, in Mass Communication of the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu, (1986), Ordinary and Advanced levels’ General Certificates in Education (1984 and 1987).

He began his illustrious journey in the media industry in a public relations and advertising agency, Maken Observers Ltd, Enugu as a client services manager between 1986 and 1987 before he left to serve his father land in Ondo state in 1989. Upon return, he worked briefly as a guest artiste at Nigeria Television Authority, NTA, Enugu, featuring once in the New Masquerade of the then Zebrudaya Okorigwe Nwogbo fame, (1990- 1991). He left NTA and joined the services of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS in 1991 as a senior reportorial staff. He had a stint as News reporter and editor at MINAJ Systems Ltd, Obosi between 1994 and 2000. He returned to ABS in the year 2000. Here at ABS, Mr Okpalaeze was News reporter and editor at ABS Onitsha and Awka between 2006 and 2009 and Head of News, ABS, Onitsha between 2009 and 2011. He was once a Head of station/Acting Director, ABS Onitsha before he was confirmed substantive Director of News and Current Affairs in 2011 from where he retires today. Meanwhile, he was Acting Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service, ABS, between February and July 2014 and from 17th March to 15th June, 2022.

As acting managing director, he inspired and pioneered ABS move to digital technology with the first teething steps in multimedia and online journalism in 2014 which was remarkably sustained by his predecessor. Upon return to the position in 2022, he facilitated the implementation of different welfare packages for staff which had been withheld for years. As Director of News and Current Affairs Department, Mr Okpalaeze operated an open door policy that promoted talent, skills, and merit ahead of bureaucracy which encouraged a new crop of young journalists emerging under his dispensation and taking up new challenges and significant roles.

He is a published writer and author including the book “The man we Lost: A biography of late Chief J.C. Ekwulugo of Nnokwa” and many other seminar papers, keynote speeches and workshop manuals on journalism, broadcasting, leadership and management.

Oga Gab as we call him is the Co-ordinator, Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, CAMPAN, Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province since 2017 and is the current chairman of the association in Awka Diocese. He is the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Media Practitioners Only (M.P.O.) – a social media group based in South East, Nigeria and also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council and Nigeria Guild of Broadcasters.

At both the community and the church levels, he has served in different capacities including as the First Deputy President General, Nnokwa Progress Union, 2013-

2019 and member, Board of Trustees, Nnokwa Citizens Forum. He is a volunteer to the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Anambra State Sector Command as a special marshal; the Executive Director, Media Rights Initiative, a civil society organization committed to protecting the rights and ensuring the safety of journalists, and an Ambassador of Peace of the United Nations Peace and Positive Living Awareness Centre, UN- PEPOLAC,

Nnadiebube is married to Vera Okpalaeze, a public servant and they are blessed with three children, two boys and a girl.

Oga Gab, our prayer is that as you bow out of service today, the good lord will continue to give you good health, wisdom, strength and vigour to impact more lives. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Written by DAVID OKPOKWASILI