Ex-NBA President, Akpata To Deliver NUJ’s Memorial Lecture In Honour Of Sen Anyim Ude

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), will on Thursday July 20, hold a memorial lecture in honour of departed veteran journalist, renown broadcast manager and politician, Sen Anyim Ude.

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olu Akpata will deliver the memorial lecture on the topic, “Freedom of the Press, Fake News and the Rule of Law.” 

Senator Ude, who passed on, May 15, 2023, rose to the peak of his career at managerial level that spanned decades across the federal and three state-owned media establishments. 

He also served as Commissioner in Ebonyi State and represented Ebonyi South senatorial district in the upper legislative chamber between 2007 – 2011.

A statement by Comrade Kenneth Ofoma, former Vice President (AG), Zone C (South East, NUJ), and chairman of the organising committee, quoted the National President of NUJ, Chief Chris Isiguzo, MFR, as saying that the Union would be honouring Sen Ude “for his immense contribution to journalism and the media industry in Nigeria”.

Ofoma said that the memorial lecture will hold at Enugu Sports Club Auditorium, opposite Modotel Hotel, 1 Club Road, Enugu, noting that the choice of Enugu as venue was because it was the capital of old Eastern Region and that Senator Ude was a national figure and prominent Igbo son.

“The Memorial Lecture will be delivered by Chief Olu Akpata, former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), while the governors of five states of the South East geopolitical zone will serve as Special Guests of Honour,” he said.

Also expected at the event are serving and former senators, serving and former rep members and other prominent Nigerians.

The statement released to journalists in Enugu, yesterday, further noted that NUJ National President, Isiguzo, MFR, will be the Chief Host, while former President of the pan-Igbo sociocultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo will chair the event which kicks off by 11am. 

Other members of the local organising committee are: Sir Emmanuel Ifesinachi, national vice President, NUJ, Zone C; Nze Magnus Eze, South East Editor of SUN newspapers; Sir Innocent Igwe, NUJ National Trustee (South East); Chinyere Iheanacho-Egbulam, Bradcastng Corporation of Abia State; Ifeanyi Igboko, Director at the Centre For Memories (Ncheta Ndigbo), Enugu; and Dr. Emeka Odogwu, chairman of NUJ, Anambra state council, who serves as secretary of the Committee.

Anyim Chukwu Ude, Elder Statesman, was a frontline founding father of Ebonyi State, veteran Journalist, Ace Broadcaster, the longest serving Chief Executive of any broadcast radio station in Nigeria. 

Pioneer General Manager of Radio Nigeria, Owerri(1981-85), General Manager in Imo Broadcasting Service, Owerri, Broadcast Corporation of Abia State(BCA) and GM, EBBC, spanning several decades continuously. 

He was Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Ebonyi under Walter Feghabour and Simeon Oduoye, the two pioneer Military Administrators in Ebonyi State. 

On the whole, he served twelve Military Governors at a stretch. He was a product of Hope Waddel Training Institution,  Calabar and imbibed the culture of perseverance, simplicity, honesty, forthrightness, transparency and Godliness, just like Akanu Ibiam.

These are the virtues  for which all the Ebonyi pioneers were known. Ude was a colossus, who lived and led by example. May his soul rest in peace.

The late Sen. Anyim Ude who represented Ebonyi South Senatorial district at the National Assembly between 2007 to 2011 will be buried on July 28, 2023.

Meanwhile, a statement by the senator’s first son, Nnanna, announced that Sen Ude will be buried on July 28.

Nnanna announced that a service of songs holds on July 18 at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Wuse, Abuja.

“A Christian wake holds on Thursday, July 27 at his residence in Amuzu-Ubegu,

Iyioji-Akaeze, Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

“Funeral service holds on Friday, July 28 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Iyioji-Akaeze.

“Private interment holds immediately after the funeral service at his residence,” the programme explained.

The late Ude was the first General Manager of Radio Nigeria, Owerri, between 1981-1985.

He was a Director-General (DG) of the Imo Broadcasting Corporation (1985 to 1991) and the first DG of the Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (1991 to 1996).

Ude was also the first Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism in Ebonyi (1997 to 1999). Ends