NUJ bestows Chief Imoka, Dr Ezeonu patrons in Anambra, as Soludo tasked on partnership with journalists

By Jessica Chinonyelum Edokobi, Awka

Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council has installed Hon. Azubike Demian Cosmas Imoka (Okwuoto Agulu)
CEO of ADC Imoka Farms and Agro Allied Industries Limited, makers of ADC Rice ; MD/CEO of Ozisigbago media limited, and
Dr Jane Nkolika Ezeonu, FWACP
Consultant Public Health Physician and Chairman Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Anambra State Branch as patrons of the union.

They were selected after nominations were made and screenings through rigorous processes.

Hon Azubuike Cosmas Imoka and Dr. Jane Ezeonu, thanked NUJ for the honour given to them to become part of the union. They promised to contribute their quotas to the growth and advancement of journalism in the state.
Chief Imoka promised to ensure he uses his good offices to mobilize support for NUJ at all times, adding that the honour is unique in all ramifications for him, while Dr Ezeonu insisted that more work awaits her for the union as a Patron. Ezeonu Jane is the wife of Prof Emeka Ezeonu of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and former INEC REC ,Imo state.

This is coming as Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has been urged to collaborate more with journalists for the coordination and management of information in the state.
The call was made by the chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Anambra State, Comrade Humphrey Emeka Nwafor, at the NUJ 2023 Veterans and Patrons’ Day Ceremony, an event organized by NUJ to celebrate patrons and veteran journalists in the state.

Delivering his Chairman’s opening remark at the event, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor said NUJ and state government’s collaboration facilitates the growth and development of the state. He also said such collaboration enables the teeming population within and outside the state to be better informed about happenings in the state.

Comrade Nwafor said NUJ is known for its doggedness to see that society hears things as they are. He also stressed that it is the work of journalists that guides society into becoming what it wants.

In his words “NUJ is known for its They promised to contribute their quota to the growth and advancement of journalism in the state.doggedness to see that society hears things as they are and it is the work of journalists that guides society into becoming what it wants”.

In his Keynote address titled: “Nigeria Union Of Journalists; The Essence And Roles Of Patrons And Patroness In The Upliftment Of The Union,” Head of Mass Communication Department Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Cornelius Ukwueze, said NUJ is populated by unsung heroes and heroines who made marks and impacted the society in their careers as journalists.

According to him, veterans deserve to be celebrated because they survived all the odds and hazards of practicing journalism in the country. He however challenged patrons whom he described as influential personalities in their respective areas of specialization to use their influence to protect journalists from suppression, oppression, and discrimination in the state.

Speaking further, Prof. Ukwueze urged veteran journalists to use their wealth of knowledge to nurture upcoming journalists for the growth and expansion of the profession. He also urged them to use their power and influence to better the working conditions of those still active in the service.

Commending NUJ for the initiative to celebrate its elders, the State Director, of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) Anambra State, Sir Joseph Uchendu urged journalists to see themselves as patrons of their union before anyone else. He urged them to always watch their brother’s back irrespective of the situation and circumstances.

NUJ President Comrade Chris Isiguzo, represented by the Zonal President, Comrade Emmanuel Ifesinachi, commended NUJ Anambra leadership in the state for celebrating the veterans, sayingits the most honourable thing to do by active players. He urged the members to give the union the maximum support it needs to keep the union afloat in the state and at the national level.

Meanwhile, Anambra NUJ Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD who earlier described journalists as the salt of the nation and moral barometers of the society, said the event was to appreciate the veterans and elders for what they contributed to the profession and the society at large during their active days.

He said those celebrated were patrons, journalists who had retired from the profession, and those who are still practicing but have devoted their careers, for decades, to the journalism practice in the state, as well as leaders of the union in capacity of chairmen and Secretaries.

In their reactions, some of the veterans including Onowu Rex Okechukwu, the pioneer NUJ Secretary; Peter Nwagu, a former Director of films, Ministry of Information; and Mrs Joy Ileka of Vanguard newspaper ans later Anambra Ministry of Information encouraged practicing journalists not to relent in their drive to serve the society.

In her remarks, the Matriarch of Anambra NUJ, and Vice-Chancellor Academics, Paul University Awka, Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna encouraged journalists to be ethical in all their dealings, while commending the selection of Hon Imoka and Dr Ezeonu foe the Paton awards.