No fewer than 15 journalists who contributed their quota both in practice and sustenance of journalism union in Anambra state, have been honoured with different categories of awards.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Anambra State Council gave the awards during her 35th Anniversary, 2026 Man of the Year Awards and Press Week, held in Awka on Thursday.
Comrade Victor Agusiobo, a veteran journalist, two-term Chairman of the Council and fellow, Nigerian Guild of Editors (FNGE), received 2026 NUJ Anambra Long Term Outstanding Professional Leadership Service Award.
Dr Denis Ekemezie, chairman, Council of Fellows, NIPR, Anambra State Chapter, was awarded the NUJ Anambra Long-Term Professional Service Award; while a media guru Dr Ifeanyi Obiefuna, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Angel Network News (ANN), smiled home with Outstanding Media Support Award.
Other journalists received Long Term Professional Service Award, Outstanding Professional Service Award, Professional Excellence Award and Professional Service Award accordingly.
They are 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
In addition, Ewa Ukpa of the Ministry of Information, won the 2026 Prof Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism in her Investigative Report titled “The Excluded Majority: How Women Are Shut Out of Igwe Elections in Anambra State.”
Uche Ndeke of the Radio Nigeria and Chukwuebuka Oguacha came second and third respectively.
Earlier, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya called for a dedicated Special Salary Structure for media practitioners in Nigeria, decrying the meager earnings and hazardous working conditions journalists endure nationwide.
He emphasised that establishing a standardised salary package for journalists is imperative to cushion economic hardship and preserve the integrity of the fourth estate of the realm.
The President announced union-led welfare initiatives and the roll-out of the NUJ Health Insurance Scheme and urged all members across state councils to key into the scheme to ensure seamless access to quality healthcare for themselves and their families.
Speaking on the event’s theme “Anambra NUJ, 35 Years on…Reporting with Truth, Responsibility, and Service…But”, the Anglican Bishop of Amichi Diocese, Rt Rev’d Ephraim Ikeakor called on all journalists and reporters to report with truth, responsibility, and service in the 21st Century.
He maintained that it is the job of the media to hold the powerful accountable through watchdog and investigative journalism; and give voice to the voiceless through story choice, sourcing and execution.
“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.The world is travelling with a supersonic speed in all dimensions, careers and professionalism.
“However, it is very pertinent to remind all of us, whether a journalist, businessman, technocrat, politician, or public servant that a deformed mind can never work towards a reformed society.
“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 averred.
According to Bishop Ikeakor, government at all tiers has a very great responsibility of granting and guaranteeing press freedom, freedom of information, and enabling environment for journalists, and media houses to operate and thrive.
“It is an obvious fact in Nigeria that government use funding to keep the media, and journalists in chains, ruins, and pains thereby incapacitating their efficiency in reporting with truth, responsibility and service.
“In a sane clime, there should be media subsidy, and media grants to journalists, and media outfits by government at all levels.
“But where this is not working in our country, media houses, journalists, and reporters should begin to think outside the box of depending on financial hand-outs from either the Government, or the well-to-do members of the society, to become very creative in creating alternative sources of income for their survival and sustainability,” he concluded.
Also Speaking, the former Vice President Nigerian Guild of Editors, Comrade Victor Agusiobo gave a vivid history of NUJ in the state.
“When Anambra State was created in 1991, journalists streamed into the new capital and immediately felt the absence of a NUJ Council. An ad hoc committee was set up under the late Mr. Obi Meze to steer the Union. A formal election soon followed, producing the Osi Nweke-led EXCO.
“By 1994, under the then 2-year tenure system, the late Mr. Dom Ekpunobi emerged as Chairman. In 1996, yours truly, Victor Agusiobo, took the reins — and became the first to be elected twice, returning in 1998 with a new EXCO.
“In 2000, with the shift to a 3-year tenure, the late Mr. Nathaniel Anigbo assumed leadership. He was succeeded in 2003 by Mr. Chris Aghanya.
“In 2006 and again in 2009, we had our first and only Amazon at the helm: Mrs. Tochukwu Udoji Omelu, of blessed memory, who completed two terms before handing over to the Henry Nwasike-led EXCO in 2012. Nwasike was to hand over to Sir Emmanuel Ifesinachi. Sir Ifesinachi was later elected National Vice President of the NUJ before finishing his second term. His deputy, Mr. Francis Ekpone, briefly held forth, and in 2022 formally handed over to the present Chairman, Odogwu Emeka Odogwu.
“In all these 35 years, the Anambra NUJ has never had an inconclusive election, nor one marred by rigging. We have never had parallel EXCOs,” former Chairman of the Council, said.
Also at the event, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Ozoma Group of Companies, Lagos, High Chief Martin Nwabueze, received the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year Awards.
Other awardees include Prof Charles Ofoegbu (Lifetime Achievements & Outstanding Public Service Award), APGA Candidate for Awka North and South Federal Constituency, Hon Obby Nwankwo (Outstanding Public Service Award), Mr Nwosu Sylvester Mmaduabuchi (Outstanding Philanthropist of the Decade Award), Chief Romanus Chika (Philanthropist of the Year Award), Chief Onwuzuruike Arinze Gabriel (Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year Award), Engr Ralph Ezeike (Outstanding Community Development Icon of the Year Award), Rev Fr Innocent Kenechukwu Affusim (Outstanding Medical Professional Service Award), Mrs Aisha Edward Maduagwu (Outstanding Health Personality of the Decade Award), Amb Benjamin Umerah Emeka (Humanitarian Service Award), Hon Prince Nweke Chigozie Henry (Leadership Award), Hon Prince Chinedu Ekwunife ( Outstanding Politician Award) and Sir Nwoba Chika Nwoba (Beacon of Digital Journalism Award).
Responding, the Chairman, NUJ Anambra State Council, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu appreciated members of NUJ who turned out en masses for the event, asking them to live up to the expectations as moral barometers of the society.
He further charged non-journalist awardees to carry the honour with glory while remembering NUJ in training and retraining of her members.###
