35 Years of Watching Power: Why NUJ Anambra’s Coral Anniversary Celebration Is Beyond An Event
By David Okpokwasili
Every profession marks its milestones differently. Some throw parties; others use the occasion to take stock. When the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, chose “Anambra NUJ, 35 Years On: Reporting with Truth, Responsibility and Service” as the theme for its 35th anniversary and Press Week grand finale, it opted for the latter — and in doing so, offered Anambra and Nigeria a timely reminder of what a functioning press is supposed to do.
Scheduled for Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Anabelle Event Centre, along the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, Agu Awka, the event which also serve as the grand finale of the NUJ Anambra State press week is expected to attract journalists, political leaders, government officials, civil society actors and other stakeholders. The programme will be hosted by the Chairman of the Anambra State Council, Comrade Emeka Odogwu, while the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya will be the Chief Host.
Thirty-five years is roughly the lifespan of Anambra State itself as a distinct political entity, carved out of old Anambra State in 1991. NUJ’s state council has, therefore, existed alongside virtually the entire modern political history of the state — from the turbulence of the Chinwoke Mbadinuju and Chris Ngige years, through Peter Obi, Willie Obiano and now Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo administrations. A press union that has covered all of that has, by necessity, been both a witness and a participant in the state’s democratic maturation. Choosing “truth, responsibility and service” as the framing for this anniversary is a way of asking whether that long institutional memory has been used well.
In today’s media environment, “truth” carries more weight than it might have three decades ago. Anambra, like the rest of Nigeria, now contends with a fragmented information ecosystem where social media influencers, partisan blogs and AI-generated content compete with trained journalists for public attention — often with far less accountability. By foregrounding truth as an explicit value, NUJ Anambra is implicitly distinguishing its members from that noise, positioning organised, professional journalism as a trust anchor in a state where political actors have strong incentives to shape narratives favourably.
The second leg of the theme, responsibility, speaks to a persistent tension in state-level journalism: the financial dependence of many outlets and reporters on government patronage, advertising, or direct payment for coverage. Anambra’s government has been notably active in courting media coverage of its development agenda, and a press corps that explicitly commits to responsibility is signalling — at least aspirationally — that access and patronage should not translate into uncritical coverage. Whether this commitment survives contact with the everyday economics of Nigerian journalism is the real test that will follow the anniversary celebrations.
The final element, service, reframes journalism as a public good rather than a trade. This framing matters for Anambra’s polity because it positions the press as a partner in governance accountability rather than merely a stenographer of official statements. For a state actively marketing itself to investors and diaspora returnees under the “Solution Anambra” brand, credible, service-oriented journalism can be an asset: it lends outside legitimacy to genuine achievements while flagging gaps government press releases would rather ignore.
The import of these three critical aspects of journalism underscores that words will not be minced when they will be examined. This is why NUJ Anambra State Council went for the best as resource persons at the event. The fierce and firebrand Bishop of the Amichi Anglican Diocese, Rt Reverend Ephraim Ikeakor has been chosen as Keynote Speaker while veteran journalist, editor, academic, and fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Comrade Victor Agusiobo will be the guest speaker.
As a service and the moral conscience of society, NUJ Anambra State Council also takes on itself the responsibility to model characters that should be emulated, that reflects its theme in their daily lives and trade and in improving the society around them. That is why tomorrow, Thursday September 10, NUJ Anambra will honor
High Chief Martin Nwabueze as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year.
High Chief Martin Nwabueze, Ichie Akubudike, Agubuzo na Dunukofia and Ozoma Ndi Ichie, is a distinguished Nigerian entrepreneur, traditional leader, philanthropist and community development advocate whose life reflects an uncommon blend of business excellence, visionary leadership and service to humanity. From his roots in Umudioka, Dunukofia, Anambra State, he has built a formidable reputation as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ozoma Group of Companies, with business interests spanning energy, real estate, construction, international trade, investments and corporate consultancy. A former competitive footballer and licensed football agent in the United Kingdom, he remains deeply committed to sports development and youth advancement.
Beyond his entrepreneurial achievements, High Chief Nwabueze has distinguished himself as a passionate humanitarian through the Ichie Akubudike Foundation, which he founded and leads. His philanthropic interventions cut across education, healthcare, housing, women and youth empowerment, community development, security enhancement and social welfare. From providing business grants, equipment and vocational opportunities to sponsoring scholarships, free medical outreaches, grassroots football and community projects, his interventions have consistently focused on creating opportunities, restoring dignity and improving the quality of life of individuals and communities. He was also the sole sponsor of the 2025/2026 Anambra State Football League, underscoring his commitment to discovering and nurturing grassroots talent.
As a member of the Igwe’s Cabinets in Dunukofia communities, High Chief Martin Nwabueze has emerged as a respected voice for peace, cultural preservation, community advancement and sustainable development. His leadership and humanitarian contributions have earned him numerous honours from institutions, community organisations, youth groups, professional bodies and other stakeholders, including recognition for excellence in leadership, education support, youth mentorship, philanthropy and humanitarian service. With a leadership philosophy anchored on empowering people, strengthening communities and creating lasting impact, High Chief Nwabueze continues to distinguish himself as a powerful symbol of entrepreneurial success, traditional leadership and selfless service to humanity.
Among the distinguished personalities to be honoured at the 2026 NUJ Anambra State anniversary are Hon. Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, who will receive the 2026 NUJ Anambra Man of the Year (Lifetime Achievement & Outstanding Public Service Award); Hon. Obby Nwankwo (Okwuego), recipient of the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Public Service Award; Engr. Raphael Ezeike, Managing Director/CEO of Polyconcepts and Consultancy Limited, who will be honoured as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Community Development Icon of the Year; Mr. Mmaduabuchi Sylvester Nwosu, Managing Director/CEO of Bunvy Agency Ltd, recipient of the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Philanthropist of the Decade Award; and Chief Romanus Chika (Juju Ugbenu), who will receive the 2026 NUJ Anambra Most Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year Award.
Also to be honoured is Chief Arinze Onwuzuruike (Aridon), Regent of the Umunze Traditional Council, as the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year; while Mrs. Aisha Edward Maduagwu, National Coordinator, APLSCD and Director of the Sickle Cell Orphanage and Underprivileged Home, Agulu, will receive the 2026 NUJ Anambra Outstanding Health Personality of the Decade Award. Other distinguished members and stakeholders of the Nigeria Union of Journalists whose contributions to journalism, media development and the growth of the profession will also be honoured as part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the NUJ in Anambra State, celebrating decades of journalism, public service and institutional development.
It will also feature the announcement of the winner of the prestigious Professor Chinyere Stella Okunna Award in Ethical Journalism for 2026.
This celebration is as important as it also shines the light on Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, JP, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council, a position he assumed in 2022 and has retained following his re-election for a second term. Under his leadership, the NUJ Anambra State Council has witnessed a remarkable transformation, anchored on the restoration of confidence, unity and renewed pride in the union. His administration has repositioned the Council as a more vibrant, responsive and welfare-driven professional body, strengthening the bond between journalists and creating an atmosphere where members can look to the union not merely as a professional association, but as a dependable institution that stands firmly for their interests, welfare and dignity.
The administration’s achievements have also extended to tangible infrastructural and professional development initiatives. Among its landmark interventions are the provision of a borehole and overhead water system, reticulation and improvements to the Council’s sewage disposal system, alongside sustained investments in training and retraining programmes designed to equip journalists with the skills required to navigate an increasingly dynamic media landscape. Through these and other initiatives, Comrade Odogwu’s administration has demonstrated that effective union leadership must translate into visible impact—improving the working environment, strengthening professional capacity, enhancing members’ welfare and leaving behind infrastructure and institutions that will serve generations of journalists. His tenure stands as a period of renewed confidence, purposeful leadership and measurable transformation in the NUJ Anambra State Council.
At the end of this event, Anambra’s journalists will be judged by how their reporting handles the next contentious election, the next corruption allegation, or the next uncomfortable truth about governance in the state. If “truth, responsibility and service” outlives the applause, this 35th anniversary will have done more for Anambra’s democracy than any single edition of Press Week could claim on its own.
David Okpokwasili, anipr, who writes from Awka is PR professional and member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council
