By Izunna Okafor, Awka
All is now set for the 2025 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Man of the Year Award and Press Week in Anambra State, with a rich lineup of activities expected to celebrate excellence, reward ethical journalism, and showcase the achievements of Anambra State in the last three years.
Briefing journalists on Thursday, August 7, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and erstwhile Chairman of the NUJ Anambra Council, Comrade Ekpone Francis Emeka, announced that the keynote speech at the grand finale would be delivered by the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, while the Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, will serve as Special Guest of Honour.
According to him, the week-long event, which begins on Monday, August 25, will open with a novelty match between NUJ Anambra and the Anambra Patriots for Soludo, to be played at the Paul University Field, Awka.
Highlighting other line up of activities for the Press Week, Comrade Ekpone said on Tuesday, August 26, journalists will embark on a guided tour of landmark projects of the Soludo administration, including Solution Fun City, the Light House, Okpoko Urban Regeneration works, the Oba Drug Market, the Ekwulobia Flyover, and three major dual carriageways currently under construction, among others. The tour, Comrade Ekpone explained, is aimed at giving media practitioners first-hand experience of the projects for accurate and balanced reportage.
He said Wednesday, August 27, will feature indoor games such as Whot, Ncho, skipping, scrabble, draft, ludo, and table tennis, with prizes for winners, adding that the day will also see journalists visit the Amawbia Correctional Centre to donate items to inmates as part of their corporate social responsibility.
The grand finale, he said, will take place on Thursday, August 28, at the International Convention Centre, Awka, under the chairmanship of Chief Primus Odili, with NUJ National President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, as Chief Host.
According to him, the event, themed “The Media and Our State Anambra: Reportage in Election Year”, will also feature a keynote address by Dr. Nonye Soludo and a guest lecture by Prof. Angela Nkiru Nwammuo, the Chairperson of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Anambra State Chapter.
This, he said, will be followed by a panel discussion by notable discussants including: APGA National Chairman, Barr. Sly Ezeokenwa; MD/CEO of Anambra Broadcasting Service, Mr. Christopher Molokwu; Parish Priest of St. Jude Thadeus Catholic Church, Awka, Rev. Fr. Dr. Francis Michael Okechukwu Enyosiobi; and the Chairman of Anambra Civil Society Network (ACSONet) and President of the International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre (IPCRC), Mr. Chris Azor.
Highlighting the award segment, Comrade Ekpone said this year’s NUJ Man of the Year Award will be conferred on Arch. Okey Ezeobi, GM/CEO of the Anambra State Bureau of Public Procurement, succeeding last year’s winner, Canada-based medical practitioner, Dr. Anthony Chinedu Umeadi. Other honourees include Princess Dr. Jessie Ifeoma Udoka (Philanthropist of the 21st Century), Hon. Ikechukwu Okafor (Most Inspiring Youth Leader), Hon. Dr. ThankGod Chibuike Anago (Most Outstanding Mayor), Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha (Most Outstanding Youth Leader), and High Chief Emenike Anthony Nwakaeze (Outstanding Community Service Award).
Comrade Ekpone also revealed that the Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna Award for Ethical Journalism will feature a ₦150,000 cash prize for the winner, while the first and second runners-up will also receive monetary rewards for the first time, totalling over ₦200,000. In addition, he said the benefactor and NUJ matriarch, Prof. Okunna, has pledged a ₦2 million endowment fund to sustain the award for future years.
Over 2,000 guests, including commissioners, traditional rulers led by HRH Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Royal Father of the Day), clergy, industry leaders, community figures, and students, are also expected to attend the event.
While commending the NUJ Anambra Council Chairman, Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, and other executives for their support, Comrade Ekpone urged all members to contribute to making the 2025 Press Week and Award Ceremony a resounding success.
