By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The journalism community in Anambra State has been thrown into deep mourning following the tragic death of a respected media practitioner, Mr. Alphonsus Nweze, a veteran journalist with Apex News and former correspondent of Champion Newspapers.
Mr. Nweze was said to have boarded a commercial vehicle from the Head Bridge, Onitsha, heading to Asaba, Delta State, where he resided, after the close of work on Tuesday. Unfortunately, the vehicle reportedly lost its brakes along the route and crashed, claiming his life on the spot. His sudden demise has continued to send shockwaves across the media landscape, with many describing it as a colossal loss to journalism in Anambra and beyond.
Reacting to the heartbreaking news, the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, expressed deep sorrow over the death of the journalist, whom he described as diligent, principled, and passionate about truth and integrity.
In a condolence message issued on Wednesday through his Press Secretary, Mr. Christian Aburime, Governor Soludo commiserated with the Anambra State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the deceased’s family, and the entire media community.
The statement read: “On behalf of the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, I deeply express profound grief and condolences to the Anambra State Correspondents’ Chapel on the tragic and untimely demise of their member, Mr. Alphonsus Nweze, a dedicated journalist with Apex News, an online publication.
“Mr. Nweze, was a committed member of the Correspondents’ Chapel, who lost his life in such a painful fatal road accident on Tuesday afternoon along the Onitsha-Asaba Express Road, leaving behind not only his dear family, friends and colleagues but also memories of his passion for truth, integrity, and public service through journalism is tragically painful.
“We will continue to remember him as a diligent and courageous reporter whose work contributed meaningfully to the information landscape of Anambra State.
“Alphonsus Nweze was more than a journalist; he was a voice for the truth and an advocate of responsible reporting. His untimely death is not only a loss to his family and colleagues but to our entire state. We will miss him.”
Efforts by this reporter, Izunna Okafor, to confirm and get more details about the accident proved abortive, as the Sector Public Education Officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Command, SRC Margaret Onabe, did not respond to call and message of inquiry sent by the reporter, as at the time of filing this report.
However, when contacted, the New FRSC Sector Commander in the State, CC Bridget Asekhauno, said she was not aware of the crash.
In his own reaction when contacted by this reporter, the Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, PhD, described the late Nweze’s death as a painful, tragic, and irreplaceable loss to the journalism family in Anambra and Nigeria at large. He said Nweze was not only a professional colleague but also a dependable mentor, friend, and committed practitioner.
He expressed deep sadness that the deceased died while still active in service, noting that his passing has left a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill. Odogwu, who spoke with emotion over the shocking news, condoled with Nweze’s family, friends, and colleagues, praying God to console them and grant the deceased eternal rest. He also called on journalists in the state to take a moment to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and rededicate themselves to purposeful living and service to humanity, which Nweze exemplified throughout his career.
The NUJ Chairman said the deceased would forever be remembered for his humility, professionalism, and commitment to truth, justice, and fairness in journalism.
Meanwhile, tributes have continued to pour in on the NUJ Anambra WhatsApp platform from colleagues and associates, with many describing the deceased as a dedicated professional and mentor to younger journalists.
In a glowing tribute shared on Wednesday, a former colleague and very close ally of Nweze, Comrade Emmanuel Uzor, described him as a disciplined and cheerful journalist whose passion for the profession was unmatched.
Uzor recalled how, in his early years as a correspondent in Onitsha, Nweze was among the first senior journalists he looked up to, lauding him as a hardworking man who, despite living in Asaba, always arrived in Onitsha before most of his colleagues.
He recounted that Nweze, who later earned a PhD, was not only a professional to the core but also a mentor who groomed younger colleagues and remained steadfast in his duties long after many contemporaries had left the field.
Titled “Death and Its Sting of Cowardice”, Uzor’s 8-point tribute read: “Alphonsus Nweze, PhD was until yesterday a veteran journalist. In my early days in the journalism profession, newly posted to Onitsha as Correspondent of Sun Newspaper in 2010, one of the first persons I met that I looked up to was Alphonsus Nweze of Champion Newspaper.
“Then other lords in the ring like Emma Obe of Punch Newspaper, George Adimike of Nation, Kingsley Ndidi Okodili of Tribune, Chimaobi Nwiwu of Vanguard, Nwabueze Okonkwo who I replaced in Sun and Cyprain Ebele and host of others were making things happen..
“Nweze, despite living in Asaba; was coming to the office earlier before some of us living in Onitsha everyday. I could count how many days Nweze never visited Onitsha. Several times he had almost slept on the road because of traffic at the Niger Bridgehead on his way home. Yet, Nweze will come the next day.
“He pursued education to the level of PhD. He was a disciplined man, a very cheerful and playful man. When Okodili Ndidi left to Imo, George Adimike left to Oko Polytechnic and lastly, I left to Abakaliki, Nweze remained in the profession, grooming young minds and professionals.
“Just last last week, he called me, requesting for the phone number of Kingsley Ndidi Okodili which I gave him and he acknowledged with thanks…I woke up this morning to behold one of the ugliest stories in my life that a distance that is not up to two kilometers that Nweze traversed for over two decades ended his sojourn on earth.
“Nweze who was on his routein movement of going from Onitsha to Asaba had his life cut short by a funny accident.
“And today, we are all in shock.
Nweze, may your soul rest in peace. May your ever smiling soul find rest and eternal happiness which you exuded on earth with your Maker, the Lord who makes all things beautiful at their time.
“There are lots of unfulfilled dreams you are leaving behind, your beautiful daughter who gained admission in UNN and others in the higher institutions are honestly going to feel your sudden departure without notice.
“I was told you visited one of your kinsmen who was admitted at FMC, Asaba just 24 hrs before your corpse was deposited in the same hospital mortuary. You had walked out alive less than 24hrs after visiting someone.
“I lack words to say goodbye Dr. Nweze. Rest till the resurrection morning. Ikenga…”
