Azubogu,Okunna, Anakwue, Tabansi, Others Laud NUJ Chairman, Odogwu

By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu

The Member representing Nnewi North/South /Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Hon Chris Azubugo, the Chairman of Awka North Peoples Assembly, Chief Shedrack Anakwue, Oronukwu, the founder A and D Tabansi Foundation and the President General of Urum community, Ambassador Aloysius Tabansi have eulogized the Chairman of the Nigeria Union Journalists, NUJ, Anambra State Council, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD for what the trio described as sterling performance of the Chairman within few months in office.

Speaking separately as guests at Godwin Ezeemo International Press Centre, Awka during the Monthly Congress of the Union, Hon Azubogu paid a glowing tribute to Odogwu, saying that the NUJ’s helmsman had been able to put in place many laudable programmes including the mobilizing over 5 million worth of gift items ranging from clothings, shoes, bags, kitchen utensils, home appliances for the less privileged, and flood victims in IDP camps through NUJ Inter-Union and Outreach Committee headed by Dr Ebere Okonkwo.

Azubogu, a three-time House of Representatives member while eulogizing Odogwu intimated the Union members about his desire to represent the people of Anambra South Senatorial District in the National Assembly (Red Chamber), noting that if elevated to the Senate he would automatically bring his wealth of experience to bear, adding that he had acquired the needed skills and technical know-how that would propel him to do exploits in the Upper Chamber.

Fielding questions from members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, he said that his sojourn to the Green Chambers had placed him shoulders above every other contestants and that the experience he garnered so far in the lower chamber would be of immense benefits to the people of Anambra South Senatorial Zone, adding that he represented well and deserved to be promoted to the next level.

The Lawmaker blamed the current inflation, insecurity, hunger and starvation, unemployment, lack of basic amenities bedeviling the country to failure of leadership, even as he urged the poor masses to unite and take back their country from their oppressors and those he said bequeathed maladministration and hardship on them.

On the deplorable condition of Enugu Onitsha Expressway, the Legislator accused the past administration in the state of diverting the money kept for the reconstruction of Amawbia/Amansea end of the Federal road, emphasizing that the money was used in constructing the bridges at Amawbia/Kwata and Arroma Junction.

‘The money was released and I was one of those who worked so hard in ensuring that the money was refunded. I went to Fashola, he told me that the road had been done and delivered. The money was not used for the purpose which it was released,’ he said.

On having Senator Ifeanyi Ubah , Chief Chris Uba and as fellow contenders, Azubogu, who is the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, candidate for Anambra South Senatorial District said that the duo posed no threat to his ambition, saying that the introduction of BVAS had made the work easier for him, adding that the electorate would decide on election day.

Addressing the Congress, the Chairman of Awka North Peoples Assembly, Chief Shedrack Anakwue thanked the Union leadership led by Comrade Odogwu for the opportunity given to them to appear before the Congress and also for the partnership which he said gave rise to the awarding of scholarship to over one hundred indigent students from the ten communities in Awka North as well as for bringing to the public the plights of the people of Awka North, especially on the need for the government to provide access roads and also give the local government their due recognition and benefits as part of Awka Capital Territory.

‘We thank Governor Soludo for flagging off the construction of Amansea-Ebenebe- Ugbene- Ugbenu road with a spur to Awba Ofemili road as well as Okpuno /Isuaniocha road. While we are appreciating the Governor we are equalling calling on him to construct the road leading to our Local Government Area Headquarters, Achalla /Isuaniocha roads. Accessing our local government headquarters is a very big problem. You have to pass four Local Government areas before you can get to Achalla. We are suffering,’ he pleaded

Corroborating the Chairman of Awka North Peoples Assembly, the founder of A&D Tabansi Foundation and the President General of Urum Community, Amb. Aloysius Tabansi enjoined the Union members to keep promoting the Council area, acknowledging that Journalists’ contribution in development of society cannot be overemphasized, assuring that the partnership with the Union would be a lasting and fruitful one.

‘We have been in existence for the past five years now as a foundation. We have been empowering our people in many ways without the camera. We give scholarships, set up businesses for our people, train them on different skills, pay hospital bills, etc. I’m happy to be here today and I will want us to continue to co-exist,’ the community leader concluded.

In their separate speeches, the First Female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Matriach of the Union in the State, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna and the Chairman of NUJ Inter-Union and Outreach Committee, Dr Ebere Okonkwo appreciated Dr Odogwu for what they described as applaudable Initiative and also the members NUJ, Anambra State Council for their generosity and kind dispositions.

Prof Okunna said further that she was impressed by the numerous activities going on in the council, adding that the council never had it so good in the recent past, urging Odogwu and his team to ensure it’s sustained for the growth and development of the union and society as consciences of the society.

According to the Chairman of the committee, the gift items donated by the Union members would be distributed to three communities each from a Senatorial Zone. Ugbenu in Awka North for Anambra Central; Agbudu in Orumba South for Anambra South while Mmiata Anam in Anambra West for Anambra North.