By Emeka Chiaghanam
Former Anambra NUJ chairman praises the council’s
unity, public engagement and awards programme
Former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra
State Council, Francis Ekpone, has described the union under the leadership of
Comrade Odogwu Emeka Odogwu as the best in the council’s history.
Ekpone, who chaired the planning committee for the council’s
35th anniversary and 2026 Man of the Year Awards, made the assessment on
Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Anabelle Event Centre, Awka.
He praised Odogwu’s efforts to unite journalists, improve
the public image of the union and promote stronger relationships between the
council and people who have contributed positively to society.
According to Ekpone, the current administration has shown
that unionism should not be limited to disputes, protests or internal
disagreements, but should also involve dialogue, engagement and cooperation.
“Unionism is not all about fighting and all that,” he said.
“Sometimes you engage the people, you work with them and get the best from
them.”
Ekpone said the council’s decision to recognise deserving
individuals through its annual awards had helped to bring the union closer to
the wider society.
He explained that the honours were intended to appreciate
people whose work had benefited their communities and encourage them to
continue making positive contributions.
“These people the union has just identified, and while we
identify them, we are appreciating them just to encourage them, to spur them to
do more,” he said.
The former chairman added that some previous award
recipients had testified that the recognition helped more people to discover
their work, achievements and contributions.
He described the 2026 awards as one of the strongest
editions organised by the council, citing the large number of recipients and
the presence of their friends, families and supporters.
Ekpone said the turnout showed that the honourees valued the
recognition and were willing to associate with the union’s efforts to celebrate
service and achievement in Anambra State.
He also disclosed that the council had paid a courtesy visit
to Chief Ebuka Onunkwo and inspected his facility as part of activities linked
to this year’s awards.
The planning committee chairman further praised the national
leadership of the NUJ for attending the celebration, saying the national
president stayed from the morning until the close of the event.
He noted that the presence of the national president,
vice-president and other zonal officers reflected their support for the Anambra
council and its activities.
Ekpone said the participation of colleagues who had other
engagements across the state was equally significant, describing it as evidence
of growing unity within the union.
Asked whether he was concerned that Governor Chukwuma Soludo
had not personally attended the annual event, Ekpone said government
recognition was more important than the governor’s physical presence.
He recalled that the governor had sent his deputy to the
2025 edition, while the Commissioner for Information represented him at the
2026 celebration.
Ekpone said it would be unfair to judge the governor by his
absence, particularly because the First Lady’s engagement took place on the
same day.
“What is important is that government recognises what we are
doing,” he said, adding that the governor could not abandon the wife of the
President of Nigeria to attend the NUJ function.
He said the council would continue building on its recent
achievements by promoting unity, public engagement and recognition of people
whose efforts had made a difference in society.
Post a Comment