NUJ Anambra Marks 35th Anniversary, Honours Man of the Year, Journalists and Other Distinguished Nigerians
It was an evening of glamour, intellectual engagement and recognition of outstanding service as the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) celebrated its 35th anniversary alongside its 2026 Man of the Year Awards.
By Oguocha Chukwuebuka
It was an evening of glamour, intellectual engagement and recognition of outstanding service as the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) celebrated its 35th anniversary alongside its 2026 Man of the Year Awards.
The ceremony, which followed the council’s 2026 Press Week activities, was held at Annabelle Event Centre, Awka, Anambra State, on September 9, 2026.
The event brought together distinguished personalities from different walks of life, professionals across various fields and journalists from different parts of the country.
Among the dignitaries present were the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi; Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna; the Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese and keynote speaker, Rt. Rev’d Ephraim Ikeakor; and the Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Dr. Law Mefor, among others.
The ceremony featured a welcome address by the Chairman of the Anambra NUJ Council, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu; paper presentation; keynote address; declaration of winners of the Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Awards; citations and presentation of awards to deserving recipients, as well as the presentation of the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year Award.
NUJ President Demands Special Salary Structure for Journalists
Speaking at the event, the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, called for a dedicated salary structure for media practitioners in Nigeria.
He expressed concern over the poor remuneration and hazardous working conditions faced by journalists across the country, stressing that a standardised salary package was necessary to cushion the impact of economic hardship and protect the integrity of the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
The NUJ President also announced union-led welfare initiatives, including the rollout of the NUJ Health Insurance Scheme.
He urged journalists across the various state councils to key into the scheme to ensure access to quality healthcare for themselves and their families.
Ikeakor: Journalists Who Sacrifice Truth for Comfort Are Dangerous to Society
Speaking on the theme of the celebration, “Anambra NUJ, 35 Years On… Reporting with Truth, Responsibility and Service… But,” the Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Rt. Rev’d Ephraim Ikeakor, charged journalists to remain committed to truth, responsibility and service in the discharge of their professional duties.
Bishop Ikeakor warned that journalists who sacrifice truth for personal comfort could become more dangerous to society than terrorists.
The cleric stressed the need for journalists to have the courage to tell the truth and protect the public interest, irrespective of the consequences.
According to him, any journalist who is unwilling to face the consequences of professional responsibility has no business practising journalism.
He further reminded journalists of the media’s responsibility to hold those in authority accountable through watchdog and investigative journalism.
Bishop Ikeakor noted that the quality of any society is partly a reflection of the values promoted by those who shape public opinion.
“Truth must germinate in the heart before it can flourish in the land.
“The heart of the problem of man is the problem of the heart of man,” he said.
The Bishop also observed that after 35 years, the Anambra NUJ Council could no longer afford excuses for poor performance, redundancy, compromise or what he described as “junk journalism.”
“At 35, NUJ Anambra State Council is neither a suckling nor a toddler. Therefore, lamentation is not an excuse for non-performance, redundancy, compromise and junk journalism,” he stated.
He called on governments at all levels to protect press freedom and freedom of information while creating an enabling environment for journalists and media organisations to operate effectively.
The cleric also raised concerns about government funding of the media, noting that excessive dependence on such funding could compromise the independence of journalists and media organisations.
While advocating media subsidies and grants from government, he urged media organisations and practitioners to develop alternative sources of income rather than depend solely on government or wealthy individuals.
Agusiobo Recounts History of NUJ Anambra
A former Chairman of the NUJ Anambra State Council and Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Comrade Victor Agusiobo, used the occasion to recount the history and evolution of the union in the state.
Agusiobo explained that following the creation of Anambra State in 1991, journalists moved into the new state capital, Awka, and soon recognised the need for the establishment of a NUJ council.
He recalled that an ad hoc committee headed by the late Mr. Obi Meze was initially constituted before the emergence of the Osi Nweke-led executive.
Agusiobo, who later served as chairman from 1996 and was re-elected for another term, listed some of the successive chairmen of the council to include the late Nathaniel Anigbo, Chris Aghanya, the late Tochukwu Udoji Omelu, Henry Nwasike, Sir Emmanuel Ifesinachi, Francis Ekpone and the incumbent chairman, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu.
Odogwu Charges Journalists to Remain the Moral Barometers of Society
The Chairman of the Anambra State Council of the NUJ, Dr. Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, thanked members for their impressive turnout at the anniversary celebration.
He urged journalists to remain committed to their professional responsibilities and continue to serve as the moral barometers of society.
Dr. Odogwu also appealed to non-journalist award recipients to justify the recognition bestowed on them while supporting the union’s efforts towards the continuous training and retraining of journalists.
Martin Nwabueze Emerges NUJ Anambra 2026 Man of the Year
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year Award to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ozoma Group of Companies, Lagos, High Chief Martin Nwabueze.
The ceremony also saw the recognition of journalists and other individuals for their contributions to journalism, professional service, public service, philanthropy and community development.
Among the journalists honoured was Comrade Victor Agusiobo, who received the 2026 NUJ Anambra Long-Term Outstanding Professional Leadership Service Award.
Dr. Denis Ekemezie received the Long-Term Professional Service Award, while the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Angel Network News, Dr. Ifeanyi Obiefuna, received the Outstanding Media Support Award.
Other journalists recognised included Monic Okechukwu, Ngozi Obi-Chukwuma, Chinyere-Fessy Okoye, Sylvia Tochukwu-Ngige, Chukwudi Chukwuenyem, Kasie Abone, Chigozie Chukwueleta, Uche Kalu, Uche Osunkwor, Sir Anthony Nweke, Uzoma Nzeagwu and Uchenna Nwekoyo.
Ewa Ukpa Wins Prof. Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism
Meanwhile, Ewa Ukpa emerged winner of the 2026 Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism with her report titled, “The Excluded Majority: How Women Are Shut Out of Igwe Elections in Anambra State.”
Uche Ndeke of Radio Nigeria emerged second, while Chukwuebuka Oguocha placed third.
The anniversary and awards ceremony therefore ended on a note of celebration, reflection and renewed calls for journalists to uphold truth, responsibility and service while contributing meaningfully to the development of society.
